NPPF Preliminary: The Epigraph

[James Spencer]

On Friday, July 11, 2003, at 09:21  AM, Malignd wrote:

> <<For it to be Kinbote's would require him to have
> more of a sense of humor and self-awareness than his
> Intro and Commentary suggest he has.  I think that
> becomes evident when you examine the content of the
> epigraph.>>
>
> I think this is wrong.
>
> I had forgotten (and was corrected by Jaspar) that
> Kinbote had access to at least some part of Boswell's
> Johnson; I don't think that can be assumed of no
> consequence.
>
> Further, I think it's a misreading of Kinbote to say
> he lacks self-awareness.  He's nothing but
> self-awareness.  He's deluded, probably, and, at the
> time of writing the commentary, likely suicidal, but
> he's a case study of pathological self-regard.

But he shows little  sign of awareness of his pathology and the point 
regarding the sense of humor of the author of the epigraph is well 
taken.  I have a tough time seeing Kinbote using this quote.

Spence

James P. Spencer
Rochester, MN

jspencer78 at charter.net

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