Iris Murdoch discussion

Kant would have us do our duty: decide on the 'right' thing to do, do it and thereby your duty, simple. In real life the shape-shifting right thing is constantly wriggling away leaving us with a mess of anguish. This anguish is rehearsed in this novel over and over in a multitude of changing situations between the cast of characters. Motifs of redemption, salvation, reconcilliation and forgiveness (which in the past might merit a religious setting- Iris Murdoch seems to suggest this is no longer valid) are played with- I use the term deliberately, there is a tremendous parade of them- alongside themes of grief, obsession, guilt and various dysfunctional behaviour. Religious terminology cannot be avoided in the book considering the issues involved but, as indicated, Murdoch is keen to search for new ways to address these important themes in our lives. As always with Iris Murdoch she frequently writes a paragraph as good as a poem and has many one-liner quotes to live by.

Your paragraph has done more to define Iris Murdoch for me than any number of other reviews. I especially appreciate your succinctness.