But I would have chosen any other than this for my prison. A rhinoceros is as ugly as a human being, and it too is going to die, but at least it never thinks that it is beautiful.
In "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle, the narrator expresses a profound dissatisfaction with their chosen prison, suggesting that they would prefer any alternative. This highlights a deep sense of entrapment and the longing for freedom. By comparing the perceived ugliness of a rhinoceros to humanity, the narrator implies that humans often carry the burden of self-image and self-deception.
The quote underscores the idea that unlike a rhinoceros, which is simply a creature without false notions of beauty, humans grapple with expectations and illusions about themselves. This comparison evokes a sense of existential reflection on the nature of beauty, identity, and the inevitability of mortality, positioning the rhinoceros as more authentic in its acceptance of reality.
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