Jansy wrote: Another point that caused me to reconsider
Shade's lines and Kinbote's commentary about them, derives from Shade's
insistence about seeing Sybil in the guise of a "dark Vanessa", whereas
Kinbote elaborated about its flaming red/orange color and how
this "individual" butterfly danced as a flame, it flared and vanished,
only to reappear before it was dissolved by the growing "shade."
Jansy,
Are you saying that these descriptions are at odds? I don't think so, since Shade too mentions the crimson bars on the dark Vanessa's wings. These flame-like bars draw Kinbote's attention, as well. So the Admirable is both dark & flame-like at the same time, depending upon your focus.
MR