Matt wrote: As you may have guessed, I believe
that this is no mere coincidence, and I likewise believe that it supports a
reading of the novel wherein there is some kind of unnatural relationship
(active or passive) between John Shade and Hazel. In Ovid, it is very clear that
Tereus's relationship with Philomel is seen as a form of incest, and the
father's devouring of his child is simply an alimentary form of incest.
..............................................
A Freudian "Oedipal" story is hinted
at through Kinbote's comments to Line 57: The
phantom of my little daughter’s
swing.
He wrote: After this Shade crossed out lightly the following lines in the
draft:
The light is good; the
reading lamps, long-necked;
All doors have keys.
Your modern
architect
Is in collusion
with psychanalysts:
When planning parents’
bedrooms, he insists
On lockless doors so
that, when looking back,
The future
patient of the future quack
May find, all
set for him, the Primal
Scene.