When Kinbote writes,“ The manuscript, mostly a fair copy, from which the present text has been faithfully printed, consists of eighty medium-sized index cards …”( 13), he might know these details for the simple reason that he idolizes Shade and wants desperately to be cognizant of what happens behind the scenes in Shade’ s work process. This is also evidenced in Kinbote’ s statement,“ Another pronouncement publicly made by prof. Hurley and his clique refers to a structural matter. I quote from the same interview …”( 14). Kinbote’ s desire to watch interviews in which Shade gives his fans information about his writing career could very well reveal nothing more than strong interest.
Kinbote did more than just study Shade’ s work and life through a TV screen, though. He often took action, planning to be in the same place as him at the same time.“ Never shall I forget how elated I was upon learning … that the suburban house … into which I moved on February 5, 1959, stood next to that of( Shade)...”( 19). It is clear that becoming Shade’ s neighbor is something that excited Kinbote very much, probably because he looked up to him so much. Or rather, was it because he now had the opportunity to watch Shade more closely?“ The view from one of my windows kept providing me with first-rate entertainment, especially when I was on the wait for some tardy guest. From the second story of my house the Shades’ living-room window remained clearly visible so long as the branches of the deciduous trees between us were still bare, and almost every evening I could see the poet’ s slippered foot gently rocking”( 23). Kinbote highlights many times his habit of looking into Shade’ s home through his windows. No wonder he was so interested in moving in right next to“ the celebrated American poet whose verses I had tried to put into Zemblan two decades earlier”( 19).
Which brings up yet another point: Is Kinbote really the former King of a strange place called Zembla? The previous evidence would indicate that the answer is yes, as Kinbote is clearly well-versed enough in the language called“ Zemblan” to have translated an entire work from John Shade into it. Although, later on, Kinbote and Shade are having a conversation with a third party, and the following interaction takes place:“‘ Now, now’ said Shade.‘ I’ m sure, Charles, our young friend never intended to insult your sovereign and namesake.’‘ He could not, even if he had wished,’ I observed placidly, turning it all into a joke’”( 268-269). Shade’ s words here sound more placating than sincere, as though he is treating Kinbote like a silly child for believing that he was once a king.
There is also a certain obsession with Shade’ s poem, not just Shade himself.“ This batch of eighty cards was held together by a rubber band which
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