In Our Time

chevron_right

Iris Murdoch

whatshot 4 snips

Oct 21, 2021

In this discussion, celebrated novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch, alongside philosopher Anil Gomes and researcher Anne Rowe, delves into her profound ideas on morality, shaped by her experiences during World War II. They explore how Murdoch's philosophy rejects subjective morality, emphasizing the significance of seeing the world clearly. The guests also reflect on her creative letters, which reveal her playful character development, and discuss the transformation of her writing amidst Alzheimer's, highlighting enduring themes of love, moral reflection, and personal integrity.

54:25

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Murdoch's Early Life and Intellectual Upbringing

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919 to a civil servant and an aspiring opera singer.
Her upbringing was intellectual, and she began writing at a young age, inspired by her father's readings.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Murdoch at Oxford

Murdoch won a scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford, in 1938.
There, she studied classics, joined the Communist Party, and formed relationships with other notable female philosophers.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Murdoch's Letters and Role-Playing

Murdoch's letters reveal her fascination with people and her tendency to role-play.
She used her letters as material for her novels, transforming real-life experiences into fiction.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Exploring Student Life and Intellectual Growth at Oxford

03:24 • 1min

chevron_right

Exploring the Creative Depths of Iris Murdoch's Letters

04:54 • 3min

chevron_right

Iris Murdoch's Morality: From Philosophy to Fiction

07:24 • 12min

chevron_right

Dora's Transcendence at the National Gallery

19:25 • 16min

chevron_right

Iris Murdoch: Philosophy and the Evolution of Her Writing

35:18 • 17min

chevron_right

Exploring the Intersection of Christianity and Buddhism

Robert Louis Stevenson

Written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886, 'Kidnapped' is a coming-of-age tale set in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion. The story follows David Balfour, a young man from the Scottish Lowlands, who after his father's death, sets out to claim his inheritance from his uncle Ebenezer. However, Ebenezer arranges for David to be kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Carolinas. David's journey involves a shipwreck, his alliance with the Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart, and their perilous trek across the Highlands to avoid capture by government soldiers and to clear their names after being accused of murder. The novel is known for its high adventure, historical context, and themes of resilience and loyalty.

The sea

John Banville

The Sea follows Max Morden, an art critic, as he returns to a seaside town from his childhood to cope with the overwhelming grief following his wife Anna’s death. The narrative intertwines his painful past with the present, creating a complex emotional landscape that questions the reliability of memories. The sea itself becomes a symbolic presence, reflecting Max’s emotional states and the mysteries of life. Banville’s sinuous narrative explores the treachery of memory and the fluid boundary between recollection and fabrication.

Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson

The story follows Jim Hawkins, a young boy who lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn with his mother. After the death of a mysterious sea captain, Billy Bones, Jim finds a map that leads to the treasure of Captain Flint. Along with Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, Jim sets sail on the Hispaniola to find the treasure, unaware that many of the crew members are former pirates of Captain Flint's ship, led by the cunning Long John Silver. The novel unfolds as a tale of adventure, mutiny, and the struggle between good and evil, with Jim facing numerous challenges and learning valuable lessons about courage and loyalty.

The novel follows Kimball O'Hara, a white orphan boy living in British India, who becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game' of espionage while also being spiritually bound to a Tibetan Buddhist lama. Kim navigates between his life as a spy and his role as the lama's disciple, traveling across India and encountering various cultures and characters. The story explores themes of identity, imperialism, and spiritual quest, set against the vibrant backdrop of Indian society under British rule.

The green Knight

W. Murdoch Duncan

The Green Knight is a novel by Iris Murdoch that loosely parodies the medieval poem 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'. It follows the lives of Louise Anderson and her daughters as they become entangled with a mystical character, leading to a series of events that challenge their relationships and understanding of themselves. The novel explores themes of morality, love, and the complexities of human relationships.

Jackson's Dilemma is Iris Murdoch's last novel, published in 1995. It revolves around the enigmatic character Jackson, who assists a group of friends in navigating their personal struggles and finding love. The story begins with the cancellation of a wedding, leading to a series of events that explore themes of caring, understanding, and the complexities of human relationships. Despite its disjointed narrative, the novel delves into the human condition, highlighting the paradox of caring and suffering.

Nuns and Soldiers

iris murdoch

Nuns and Soldiers is a novel by Iris Murdoch that delves into the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas. The story revolves around Gertrude, who loses her husband Guy, and Anne, an ex-nun, as they navigate their lives amidst a cast of characters dealing with love, identity, and personal growth. The novel explores themes of class, romance, and the search for meaning.

Murphy

Samuel Beckett

Samuel Beckett's 'Murphy' is a novel that follows the life of its eponymous character, a man who seeks to escape the responsibilities of life. Murphy moves from Dublin to London, where he becomes involved with a prostitute named Celia and eventually finds work at a mental hospital. The novel explores themes of sanity, insanity, and the meaning of life through Murphy's interactions with the patients and his own existential crises. The book is known for its blend of comedy and tragedy, reflecting Beckett's signature style.

Pierrot Mon Ami

Raymond Queneau

Pierrot Mon Ami is a coming-of-age novel that follows a young man's initiation into a world filled with deceit, fraud, and manipulation. The story is characterized by its absurd and humorous style, exploring themes of chance and destiny. Queneau's use of language and narrative structure adds to the novel's unique charm.

The Time of the Angels

iris murdoch

The Time of the Angels is a philosophical novel by Iris Murdoch, published in 1966. It centers on Carel Fisher, a priest who has lost his faith in God, living in a bombed-out London church with his family and a diverse group of residents. The novel delves into themes of morality, power, and the search for meaning in a world without religious guidance. It is characterized by its Gothic atmosphere and complex characters, making it a thought-provoking exploration of human nature.

Deadhouse

Linda Fairstein

In 'The Deadhouse', Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper investigates the murder of a respected professor found strangled and dumped in an elevator shaft. The case leads her to explore the dark history of Roosevelt Island's abandoned smallpox asylum, known as the Deadhouse. As Cooper delves deeper, she uncovers a complex web of betrayal and deceit involving the victim's abusive husband and colleagues.

The sand castle

Walt Browder

Walter Browder's 'The Sand Castle' is a notable work in his literary career, though specific details about the book's content are not readily available. Browder is also recognized for his nonfiction writings and screenplays.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the author and philosopher Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999). In her lifetime she was most celebrated for her novels such as The Bell and The Black Prince, but these are now sharing the spotlight with her philosophy. Responding to the horrors of the Second World War, she argued that morality was not subjective or a matter of taste, as many of her contemporaries held, but was objective, and good was a fact we could recognize. To tell good from bad, though, we would need to see the world as it really is, not as we want to see it, and her novels are full of characters who are not yet enlightened enough to do that.

With

Anil Gomes Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Trinity College, University of Oxford

Anne Rowe Visiting Professor at the University of Chichester and Emeritus Research Fellow with the Iris Murdoch Archive Project at Kingston University

And

Miles Leeson Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre and Reader in English Literature at the University of Chichester

Producer: Simon Tillotson

Home Top podcasts Popular guests