The Unicorn in the Garden is really an interesting short story after rereading it several times, we feel there are full of idealism, realism and abstract, concrete in the plot at the same time. All those opposing situations mixed together, making the story a very attractive one.
In the western mythology the unicorn is a symbol for purity, chastity, and innocence. And only a pure maiden had the power to ensnare a unicorn which was attracted by her innocence. It is said the animal meekly came to kneel before her and place his head in her lap. Therefore we can know unless a man is really full of innocence and pure can approach the unicorn. Otherwise he hardly see and approach a unicorn.
At first, the fable told us the husband saw a unicorn in his garden. And when he fed the unicorn with a lily, the unicorn accepted gravely. Such beginning showed that innocence and purity bespeaks the husband’s character. When he saw such an incredible and unbelievable mythical beast, all he could think was to share with his wife. But his wife not only didn’t believe him, but said he was a booby. She even tried to get rid of him.
Apparently the unicorn here was not only a symbol; it was also a line which separated the roles into two parts. They are Angel-man and evil-woman. We can say this fable tried to tell us a war between man and woman. Also it was a war between angel and evil. And as usual, in the end of the story the innocent and pure husband won the war. But he definitely will never see the unicorn again in the rest of his life, he lies.
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