Pale Fire: Illustrated Sports Illustrated Sports Pale Fire Journal | Page 25

Warning: The following explanation is written in the point of view of John
Shade. He is expressing his ideas of the four interpretations and arguing why
he thinks three are the wrong interpretations of him and why the fourth one
is the correct one.
Explanation:
Line 1: They must think me mad.
They misunderstood me for a madman. I can see how this would be. I see the
world in my own way. I may imagine things as I please. I do admit to over exag-
geration or hyperbolizing details, but being locked up in a mad house forces the
lonely parts of your mind to create beliefs that help you go on. When there are
festering bugs below your cell, you make up a companion to help you get
through the days, weeks, and months. You may believe it yourself that this
friend of mine is no more than a hired therapist, but aren’t friends therapists
too? However, it continues to frustrate me that others do not see my world the
way I do. My reality is real, I have the emotions to prove it. How is it possible to
feel for a friend such as Shade and him not exist? I know they think me crazy.
The mere acknowledgement by one of my illusionary nature is enough for every-
one to believe it so. Alas, they are wrong. Although it seems I have crossed over
the border from sane to hysteric, I am not a madman.
Lines 2-3: They must think me her/ with boyish traits misread.
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