NPPF Commentary Line 238, P. 168, Part III

[Vince & Shelly Maeder]

Plain text version

III. Cicada Life Cycle and Emergence from Exoskeleton:
 
1) This is a literal allusion to the cicada.  "Homoptera: Cicadidae 
Magicicada sp.  Other Common names Periodical cicadas are also commonly
called the 17-year cicada, 13-year cicada, or locusts. The name "locust"
is misleading because it applies to migratory grasshoppers.  Immature
periodical cicadas (nymphs) develop underground and feed on sap from
plant roots. After 13 or 17 years below ground, mature nymphs construct
a mud turret called a cicada hut and emerge from the soil and climb onto
nearby vegetation or any vertical surface. They then molt to the winged
adult stage. Their shed outer skins or "exoskeletons" are frequently
found attached to tree trunks and twigs. The emergence is often tightly
synchronized, with most adults appearing within a few nights. Adult
cicadas live for only two to four weeks. During this short time, they
feed relatively little and do not cause any severe damage as they feed.
Male cicadas sing by vibrating membranes on the sides of the first
abdominal segment. Male courtship songs attract females for mating.
Females are silent. After mating, females lay their small eggs in twigs
1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. The female's ovipositor slices into the
wood and deposits the eggs. One to several dozen eggs can be laid in one
branch, with up to 400 eggs being laid by each female in 40 to 50
sites." 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/entomology/444-276/444-276.html
 
2) This is an allusion to the death of Hazel Shade.  
 
3) This is further discussion as to the nature of life after death.  
 
4) This is also an allusion to the issue of the actual author of the
canto and the commentary.  Is it Messrs. Shade, Kinbote, Botkin or some
fourth person? As well as a nice metaphor of the study of the text to
assess the true author of the work.
 
5) This also serves as an allusion to the Commentary developing out of
the canto's text.