In Orson Scott Card's "Songmaster," the complexity of existence is highlighted through the idea that all living beings are subject to the influences and desires of others. The phrase suggests that life is a constant struggle against manipulation, as individuals are shaped by external wills that bend them to various purposes. The relentless nature of this interference means that freedom is elusive for the living, as their choices and paths are often determined by outside forces.

Conversely, the concept of freedom is reserved for the dead, who no longer face the burdens of desire or influence. Their lack of wants allows them a form of liberation unattainable in life, illustrating a profound irony in the quest for autonomy. Thus, Card poses a contemplative view on life and death, where true freedom may only exist in the absence of desire and conflict, challenging readers to reflect on the nature of control and independence.