Miriam Rothschild's book on the cultural history of the butterfly
suggests an interpretation of butterflies in art history, particularly during
the period of Dutch still life painting, that I think should be taken into
account in interpreting Pale Fire.
First, the butterfly in general
is part of the vanitastheme and symbolism in these paintings.
The white butterfly and the Red Admiral were given more particular meanings. The
whites were taken to be emblems of virtue, resurrection and immortality;
the flaming colors, red and black, of the Red Admiral were read as death and/or
damnation.
This does not preclude Brian Boyd's interpretation of the
meaning of those butterflies in PaleFire but does suggest other
intriguing possibilities.