The Colour of Magic | Themes & Symbolism

The Colour of Magic Significant Topics

The main themes of The Colour of Magic stem from the differing perspectives of Rincewind, a failed wizard, reluctant guide, and very reluctant hero, and Twoflower, the indefatigable tourist. Rincewind's only goal is to muddle through somehow, and the hilarious send-ups of fantasy adventures reveal the difficulties inherent in achieving even such a modest aim.

Death, complete with scythe, grinning skull, and sepulchral voice, shows up again and again, impatient to harvest Rincewind's soul. Fate, personified, has a special grudge against the failed wizard. Fate and Lady Luck play dice for his soul, and even when Lady Luck wins, his life is only prolonged, not made more comfortable or less frightening. Perhaps the quintessential moment comes when Rincewind finds himself hanging from the branch of a tree, having escaped a bear, with irate and hungry wolves surging about below him, Death lolling with scythe at the ready on...
(read more)