Because Stanley operated in two different modes, his down-to-earth and his up-in-heaven, the meaning of words and phrases he used in one mode could change when used in the other. Here, for example, the word identity relates to his everyday down-to-earth usage, and has more or less the conventional dictionary interpretation. But shortly we shall find the same word used in his up-in-heaven sense, and then its meaning undergoes such a drastic change that a reader can initially become perplexed.

Stanley's dual use of conventional words in effect constituted two distinct languages, a highly significant matter if a reader is to try to make sense of his metaphysical approach to art.