Poetry can’t be ‘in the service of . . .‘, generally speaking. Pale Fire is not poetry.

Penny,

 

I couldn't put it better. One of the worst disasters that can befall an English poet is to be appointed Poet Laureate. It confers a sense of obligation that compositions should be written to order, in celebration of some run-of-the-mill event, a coronation, the birth of a baby, the death of a Queen Mother. The Laureate doesn't have to do this, but often does something of the sort, as a matter of courtesy. I have yet to read a single example which is better than lamely dutiful.

 

Pale Fire's verse was (imho) written in the service of the book. Which suggests that the Kinbote character provided the initial motivating spark. If you believe the reverse, then Kinbote is merely the appendage, existing to serve Shade.

 

Charles