Gary Lipon: While I think Mr. Heflin overstates his case, his sentences are not so weak, and their overall sense worth heeding…On the other hand the boundaries, purposes, methods and practices of criticism and analysis have historically been deplored for one reason or another. Pale Fire itself is mainly a satire about criticism, analysis, and projected semantics. Anyhow I've taken the liberty to cast his words into iambic pen..

 

JM: I lack the knack, as does Kinbote, for rhyme and treason, but I agree that Heflin’s now iambic lines* nicely denounce the egos-eyes of the flatulent types gorging on their multi-layered tripes. And yet…

Ten Censure wrong for one who Writes amiss;
A Fool might once himself alone expose,
Now One in Verse makes many more in Prose.
……………………………………………

Authors are partial to their Wit, 'tis true,
But are not Criticks to their Judgment too?

 

Yes, reader. Pope.

 

…………………………….

*- (…academic) types, who lose themselves, out-clevering, 

out-egoing each other; so much so,

that they defile a vibrant literature

with layer upon layer of fatuous prat

that thus obscures far more than it explains.