A glowing feather hangs inside a golden birdcage surrounded by small flowers against reflective lavender twilight.

Original artwork, not a still

Schmendrick the Magician

The magic chose the shape, not I. I am a bearer, I am a dwelling, I am a messenger.

— The Last Unicorn · 1982

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker gives magic responsibility for choosing a shape and describes the self as its carrier, dwelling and messenger. Agency is placed elsewhere. The three images present a role of receiving and conveying something, rather than claiming complete authorship or control over its form.

Context reviewed

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