Relativism In Iris Murdoch's Under The Net

Words: 291
Pages: 2

Under the Net by Iris Murdoch revolves around the central theme of relativism—the idea that different points of views have no absolute truth and that perception changes due to experiences. The protagonist, Jake Donaghue, is self-absorbed and suffers from a faulty net of perception, as he believes the world is the solar system and he is the sun. His interpretation of everything and every relationship around him is wrong but is presented to us as if they’re right, leading to a lot of misunderstandings. This novel is an accurate representation of the mirror opposites of reality and appearance and is structured around a series of hapless adventures, followed by a reflection on those actions. Under the Net tells the story of Jake’s moral