As a general rule, is it not crucial not to fall for the symmetries and circularities proposed by self-absorbed narcissists like Hermann and Kinbote? A large part of VN's challenge to the reader is not to be seduced by such unreliable (to put it absurdly mildly) narrators.
Just a quick response to this part of Anthony Stadlen's post. One of the interesting things about Kinbote (especially if he is Shade gone insane as I beleive) is that he not only has many characteristics of Shade, but of Nabokov as well. It's interesting that he seems to ascribe the symmetry of Pale Fire to Kinbote and not to Shade/Nabokov who actually of course composed the symmetrical butterfly-shaped poem. Kinbote's contribution do not strike me as showing any symmetry of form - - or am I missing something?
I see from the flurry of fascinating posts that have popped up in response to my scepticism regarding Nabokov as an author "of novels full of symmetry" that I was wrong - - very wrong. But I'm also very glad I raised the question. The discussion has been wonderful.
thanks,
Carolyn.