Iris Murdoch’s Bruno’s Dream: A Phantasmagorid World
Main Article Content
Abstract
The celebrated philosopher-novelist, Iris Murdoch, has made an extensive use of classical mythology to elaborate her central themes of Love and Goodness in almost all her novels beginning from Under the Net (1954). However, her 12th novel, Bruno's Dream (1969) is a unique work in as much as in it she has projected her views on life and death through the Indian myths of Maya and Shiva/Parvati. Bruno, the central character of the novel, is an ugly and repulsive old man, yet he stands as the focal point of love and forgiveness in the fabric of the story. Through his example the other characters undertake a moral pilgrimage, and rediscover love and meaning in their lives.
Downloads
Metrics
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Cirlot, J.E. A Dictionary of Symbols. Philosophical Library, 1962.
Coomaraswamy, A.K. and M.E. Noble. Myths of the Hindus and Budhists. Dover, 1967.
Murdoch, Iris. The Sovereignty of Good. Schocken Books, 1970.
. . . .Bruno's Dream. Penguin Books, 1970.
Thomas, P. Myths and Legends of India: A Comprehensive Survey of the Sacred Love of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. D.B. Taraporewala Sons, 1973.
Zimmer, H. Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization. Pantheon Books, 1946. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400866847