The Last Unicorn: Sea of Metaphors

The Last Unicorn

"Heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen. A quest may not simply be abandoned; unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever; a happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story."
 -Prince Lir from The Last Unicorn
     
          In the novel The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, we are presented with no ordinary fairy tale.  The unique use of description and metaphor is what gives this story its unique and eerie feel. The magical unicorn discovers that as time passed, she is now the last of her kind. As a last hope to find the truth, she journeys in search for other unicorns. Unicorns are normally portrayed as very peaceful and innocent animals, but Beagle gives the unicorn of his story a bolder and prideful manner. In the novel many of the other beings become frightened at the unicorn's presence, simply because she is so unique and was thought only to exist in legend.  

Discussion Questions:

1. Serious Significance: "Eyes" are mentioned repeatedly throughout the novel, especially when relating to the meaning of their color.  What significance do you think 'eyes' have in this story??

 2. Think About it:Does immortality become more meaningful when it requires different characteristics?

3. Why can't the unicorn weep once she becomes immortal again? Does Beagle think one can exist as an immortal and still feel human emotions?