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[Paul Mackin]

On Fri, 2003-06-13 at 14:43, David Morris wrote:
> 
> --- Paul Mackin <paul.mackin at verizon.net> wrote:
> > 
> > The Commentary contains (at least) two kinds of information. Without giving
> much of anything away, I'd suggest that use and/or mention of information of
> the first kind be permitted (if one wishes) during the poem reading but
> information of the second kind not be broached until later.
> 
> What is the first kind of information, and what is the second kind?
> 
> It does seem that one is encouraged by the book to access the commentaries as
> one is making one's way through the poem.  Does anyone think we shouldn't do
> this?  Or shouldn't reveal insights gained while doing so?

Part of the commentary helps you get through the poem on Slades's terms,
another part on Kinbote's terms. It'll be obvious which is which when we
get to it. For example, if you don't know a bird knocks itself out on a
windowpane in the first four lines, the commentary will clue you in.

My approach would be to read the poem over for the fairly straight
forward sense of it, love, loss, afterlife, etc., only referring to the
commentary if you get stuck.

Save the Kinbotean fantasy for later. Actually it is impossible to give
anything away, because the book is NOT a closed circle.

I'll take whatever part no one else wants.

P.






P.