Pale Fire: Illustrated Sports Illustrated Sports Pale Fire Journal | Page 70

“She took her poor life” (50). This means that the Hazel everyone knew is
dead and replaced by Kinbote, who is still Hazel but male. “With great excite-
ment in the air” (50) refers to Hazel’s excitement for the change because she has
always identified as someone else. Even Hazel’s name is proof of her being
transgender. Hazel is a very in between color. It is not quite brown but it is not
quite green. When we are introduced to Hazel she is not only in between female
and male but also adolescents and adulthood. “I cannot describe the depths of
my loneliness and distress” (95) Kinbote. Again, this refers to people judging
Kinbote because he is transgender and because it is not widely accepted he does
not have many friends. Hazel’s Aunt Maud had giving her a terrier. “Sybil had
had the animal destroyed” (165). This makes Hazel very mad at Sybil and “[is]
beside herself with distress” (165). Kinbote, also, does not like Sybil. It can be at-
tributed to him never forgiving Sybil for killing the terrier. Many weird things
happen at Hazel’s house, including things flying around. Similarly, weird things
happen at Kinbote’s house as well. “I was the shadow of the waxwing slain” (33).
The interpretation for this line is I was the daughter of the dead man. Hazel is
John Shade’s daughter. John Shade is credited with writing the poem but with
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