NPPF--commentary--697--conclusive destination

[Paul Mackin]

This note returns us to the Gradus section of the Zembla story. 

Gradus arrives at the Azure Coast city of Nice on July 19 just as Shade
is setting his second near-death experience to verse at the end of Canto
Three. Although the color azure has been associated with that event
(opening lines), I don't recall any particular blueness present in the
death that Kinbote wants us to believe is to be at the hand of Gradus. 
If the ". . . . more/Conclusive destination.. . ." for Shade would be
actual rather than seeming death, Gradus's stay at Nice is (as far as
this note is concerned) only a rather uneventful waypoint along that
same road. 

Hotel Lazuli reminds us of the azure colored semi-precious stone, Lapis
lazuli. A lot a cheap hotels in Nice at that time. (maybe still)

Also there is a bird connection. The lazuli bunting or lazuli
finch--partly blue. 

Gradus is the antithesis of Kinbote in preferring a noisy environment. 

Ca distrait -- it was distracting (as from one's troubles) 

The "man in the bottle-green jacket" serves among other things as
revenge on the young faculty member at Wordsmith (called Emerald) who is
so abusive of Kinbote. 

The two young tourists--we learn who the green jacketed man and what the
two tourists (whom G vaguely recognizes) are up to in the next note,
which has been assigned to someone else. 


Gordon's bravura piece ? 

Is the spread eagled figure the King? 

Anyway G learns that Disa is not in residence at Villa Disa