Under the Net

By Iris Murdoch

“Under the Net” by Iris Murdoch is a witty and introspective novel that employs various literary devices to create a thought-provoking and emotionally rich story. Through the use of metaphors, symbolism, and stream-of-consciousness narration, Murdoch explores the complexities of human relationships, the search for identity and meaning, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. With its engaging prose and memorable characters, “Under the Net” is a must-read for anyone interested in the nuances of the human experience.

Themes 📚

1. Identity: The novel explores questions of identity and self-discovery, as the protagonist, Jake, struggles to find his place in the world and to define himself in relation to others.
2. Relationships: Murdoch also explores the complexities of human relationships, particularly the tension between love and friendship, as Jake navigates his relationships with his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, and various other characters he encounters along the way.
3. Meaning and purpose: The novel also touches on questions of meaning and purpose, as Jake searches for something to believe in and struggles to find his place in a post-war world that seems devoid of meaning and direction.
4. Reality vs. illusion: Another key theme in the novel is the tension between reality and illusion, as Jake grapples with the nature of truth and the role that fiction and storytelling play in shaping our understanding of the world.
5. Power and control: The novel also explores questions of power and control, particularly in the context of relationships, as Jake and the other characters jockey for position and struggle to assert their dominance over one another.
6. Language and communication: Murdoch also uses the novel to explore the limits of language and communication, as Jake grapples with the inadequacies of language to convey the full range of human experience and emotion.
7. Existentialism: The novel also grapples with themes of existentialism, as Jake navigates a world that seems to lack meaning and purpose, and struggles to find his place in an indifferent universe.
8. The nature of art and creativity: Murdoch also explores the nature of art and creativity, as Jake grapples with his own creative impulses and the role that art can play in shaping our understanding of the world.
9. The role of chance and coincidence: Another key theme in the novel is the role of chance and coincidence in shaping our lives and our relationships, as Jake navigates a world that seems to be both chaotic and meaningful at the same time.
10. The search for human connection: Finally, the novel explores the universal human desire for connection and belonging, as Jake and the other characters struggle to find meaning and purpose in their relationships with one another.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Metaphor: Murdoch uses metaphor to create vivid and memorable images throughout the novel, such as when she describes a character as having a “face like a wedding-cake” (Chapter 1) or compares the experience of writing to “a long episode of indigestion” (Chapter 7).
2. Symbolism: The novel also makes use of symbolism, such as when Jake’s dog, Nipper, comes to represent Jake’s desire for stability and companionship, or when the character of Hugo Belfounder symbolizes the destructive force of unchecked ambition.
3. Stream-of-consciousness narration: Murdoch uses stream-of-consciousness narration to give the reader a glimpse into Jake’s inner thoughts and emotions, and to convey the disjointed and sometimes chaotic nature of human thought.
4. Irony: The novel also employs irony to critique the societal norms and cultural values that it portrays, such as when Jake mocks the “civilized” behavior of the upper classes or when he critiques the notion of “progress” as a meaningless buzzword.
5. Allusion: Murdoch also makes use of allusion, referencing various works of literature, philosophy, and art throughout the novel to create layers of meaning and deepen the reader’s engagement with the text.
6. Foreshadowing: The novel also employs foreshadowing to hint at future events and create a sense of tension and anticipation throughout the story, such as when Jake has a premonition of Hugo’s downfall early on in the novel.
7. Satire: Murdoch uses satire to critique the cultural and societal norms of the time, such as when she parodies the language of the upper classes or critiques the superficiality of the literary and artistic elite.
8. Imagery: The novel makes use of vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, such as when Murdoch describes the “damp and shadowy” streets of London (Chapter 3) or the “golden, infinite air” of the countryside (Chapter 12).
9. Repetition: Murdoch also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum throughout the novel, such as when she repeats the phrase “the good old days” to underscore the nostalgia and longing that some of the characters feel.
10. Humor: Finally, the novel employs humor to create a sense of levity and to undercut some of the more serious themes and ideas that it explores, such as when Jake pokes fun at the pretentiousness of some of the literary and artistic elite.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Her hair was black and her face like a wedding-cake” (Chapter 1)	This metaphor compares the woman’s face to a wedding-cake, using a vivid and memorable image to describe her appearance. The comparison also implies that the woman is artificial and superficial, like a decorative cake.
“Her voice was like a gleaming knife” (Chapter 2)	This metaphor creates a vivid and striking image, conveying the sharpness and intensity of the woman’s voice. The comparison also implies a sense of danger or threat, as a knife can be used for violence or harm.
“The memory was like a sound-proof cell” (Chapter 10)	This metaphor compares the experience of remembering something to being in a sound-proof cell, conveying a sense of isolation and detachment from the world. The comparison also implies that memories can be difficult to access and are sometimes cut off from our conscious thoughts.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Nipper the dog	Nipper the dog comes to represent Jake’s desire for stability and companionship, as well as his longing for a sense of home and belonging. The dog serves as a symbol for Jake’s emotional needs and desires, and becomes a source of comfort and solace throughout the novel.
The blue notebook	The blue notebook that Jake writes in becomes a symbol for his creative impulses and his search for meaning and purpose. The notebook is a place where Jake can explore his thoughts and ideas, and it becomes a way for him to connect with others and to express himself in a world that can feel chaotic and overwhelming.
Hugo Belfounder	The character of Hugo Belfounder symbolizes the destructive force of unchecked ambition, as his desire for success and power leads him to betray his friends and destroy his own happiness. Hugo serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of putting one’s own desires and interests above those of others.

3. Stream-of-consciousness narration

Example	Explanation
“I wonder how many people there are in the world who feel alone and forgotten tonight” (Chapter 3)	This line reflects Jake’s inner thoughts and emotions, as he contemplates the loneliness and isolation that he feels in a world that can seem uncaring and indifferent. The stream-of-consciousness narration gives the reader a glimpse into Jake’s inner life and creates a sense of intimacy and connection with the character.
“The green of the grass was too green, the blue of the sky too blue” (Chapter 7)	This line conveys the intense and heightened sensory experience that Jake is having, as he struggles with his own feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. The stream-of-consciousness narration creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing the reader to feel as if they are inside Jake’s head.
“I must have been making a noise like an animal in pain” (Chapter 14)	This line reflects Jake’s inner turmoil and emotional distress, as he grapples with the sudden loss of his friend and the sense of isolation and despair that he feels. The stream-of-consciousness narration creates a sense of intimacy and emotional intensity, allowing the reader to feel Jake’s pain and despair.

7. Satire

Example	Explanation
“I was now dealing with the English middle class, that is to say with people who are not quite certain that they don’t know how to speak English” (Chapter 3)	This line is a satirical critique of the upper classes in England, mocking their pretensions and their self-importance. The satire highlights the absurdity and superficiality of the cultural and societal norms that the novel portrays.
“She smiled at me, the natural smile of an exalted person who feels that she is not understood by mere mortals” (Chapter 4)	This line is a satirical critique of the literary and artistic elite, mocking their sense of superiority and their condescension towards others. The satire highlights the superficiality and pretentiousness of the cultural and societal norms that the novel portrays.
“What is civilization? It’s not bricks and mortar, it’s not soup at ten-thirty and lights out at eleven. It’s not easy chairs and a history of the Roman Empire. It’s not clean linen” (Chapter 8)	This line is a satirical critique of the idea of “civilization”, mocking the notion that it can be reduced to a set of superficial cultural and societal norms. The satire highlights the emptiness and superficiality of the values that the novel portrays.

8. Imagery

Example	Explanation
“The great trees were still, the stars above them bright and still” (Chapter 1)	This line creates a sense of atmosphere and mood, conveying the stillness and quietness of the nighttime landscape. The imagery creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the novel.
“The green hills, the lovely shining river, the orchards and the bright grass, the happy cattle, the plump fields of corn and wheat” (Chapter 12)	This line creates a sense of idyllic beauty and abundance, conveying the richness and vitality of the countryside. The imagery creates a sense of warmth and comfort, and highlights the contrast between the natural world and the artificiality of urban life.
“The city was dull and damp, the streets dark and shadowy” (Chapter 3)	This line creates a sense of gloom and despair, conveying the sense of dislocation and alienation that Jake feels in the urban landscape. The imagery creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, and highlights the contrast between the urban and rural environments that the novel explores.

9. Repetition

Example	Explanation
“The good old days”	This phrase is repeated throughout the novel, underscoring the sense of nostalgia and longing that some of the characters feel for a simpler time in the past. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, and highlights the theme of the passing of time and the search for meaning and purpose.
“As if I cared”	This phrase is repeated by Jake throughout the novel, underscoring his sense of detachment and indifference towards the people and events around him. The repetition creates a sense of irony and distance, and highlights the tension between Jake’s desire for connection and his inability to form meaningful relationships.
“The ground was solid and reassuring beneath my feet”	This phrase is repeated by Jake throughout the novel to describe his experience of walking or standing on stable ground. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, and highlights Jake’s desire for stability and grounding in a world that can seem chaotic and unpredictable.

Sure, here are examples and explanations for two more of the literary devices used in “Under the Net” by Iris Murdoch:

10. Irony

Example	Explanation
“I am well aware of the fact that I am going to be a difficult person to live with” (Chapter 1)	This line is ironic, as Jake is not actually aware of the full extent of his own flaws and shortcomings. The irony highlights the tension between Jake’s self-perception and the reality of his behavior, and sets the stage for the character’s growth and development over the course of the novel.
“I hate the word ‘important’. It’s so vulgar and shop-soiled” (Chapter 3)	This line is ironic, as Jake himself is obsessed with the idea of being important and recognized. The irony highlights the tension between Jake’s self-image and the reality of his own desires, and serves as a critique of the superficiality and emptiness of the cultural and societal norms that the novel portrays.

FAQs 💭