Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal | Page 69

king did not want to parade his status considering that he had been exiled.
Later in that same interaction, Kinbote is seen saying “I resembled that un-
fortunate monarch” (1962, p.265). Once again, though the prosecution
may use this to claim that even Kinbote amidst his ramblings simply said
he resembled the monarch, there is not another person alive who would
understand the misfortunes of the monarch better than the monarch him-
self. In this case that monarch is Charles Kinbote.
Furthermore, the jury can draw the evidence from Charles Kinbote’s family
lineage. Kinbote talks of times spent in “my uncle’s castle” (1962, p. 27).
Such a powerful family would show evidence through the wealth other
members. This evidence is easily found in Kinbote’s uncle. Though it is
possible that to a child a house that is simply large or mansion like could
be considered a castle. The imagination of a child is certainly cause for
turning even the simplest of tree forts into the grandest and most extrava-
gant castle. The jury is asked to question if there is further evidence to
prove that the client has his feet firmly planted on the ground and is not
drawing from extended childhood fantasies. Going further with the idea
that simple family and personal facts can be compiled as evidence the jury
should start with the name of the client. Both the monarch in question and
Kinbote share the same first name. Charles. That should be reason
enough to look further into the similarities. It should also be noted that the
two share the same birthday. Though this may be considered a coinci-
dence by the prosecution, the defense calls the jury to ask themselves
when a coincidence stops being a coincidence and starts being evidence
(1962, p.29).
It may be seen that what the prosecution considers its strongest piece of
evidence, is the fact that even during what ‘seems’ like the internal ram-
blings of a crazy man, Kinbote maintains the restraint to keep his royal se-
cret. My client does call to the attention of his audience that he has a se-
cret that “only three people…definitely knew” (1962, p.25). The prosecu-
tion may present this to the audience with the interpretation that my client
has shown the way to witnesses who know of his true mental state. It is
reasonable, one must admit, to assume that Kinbote is referring to his
mental state however, the court room is not a place for assumptions. In
addition, it is equally reasonable, perhaps even more likely, that Kinbote
was referring to his status as king. As my client was keeping his identity on
the ‘down low’ it is reasonable that only a few close co-workers would be
aware of the truth.
A king, such as my client, would be able to recall details from his life be-
fore exile. He is quoted as saying “one recalls pearl gray walls” (1962,
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