Sex is Path to God: Message of Iris Murdoch in her novel "The Black Prince"

Dame Iris Murdoch DBE was an Irish-born British author and philosopher, best known for her novels about good, evil and sexual relationships. Iris Murdoch wrote 'The Black Prince' in 1973. This was her fifteenth novel and alludes mainly to Hamlet, the character created by William Shakespeare.

The Black Prince The Black Prince is generally considered the best of Murdoch's novels. It won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1973.Overall, she had the ability to merge philosophy and fiction and this is apparent in the main character Bradley Pearson in the novel. Bradley Pearson the main Protagonist Murdoch relates the novel though Bradley Pearson. He is a retired 58 year old Inspector of Taxes and has a dream of going to the country to write his book. His character is ambiguous as he bickers with his friend Arnold Baffin about the art of writing a book. Simultaneously he is enticed by Arnold's wife to sleep with her in an affair that is almost clinical. He also tutors the 20 year old daughter of Rachel and Arnold, Julian. His ex-wife Christian and her brother France along with his depressed sister turn up at his door. The Character of Bradley Pearson Bradley is struck by the arrow of Eros, the god of love. This changes his entire perception of life. Bradley changes to a man who is tender, as his love for Julian Baffin takes seed in his heart. He becomes almost infatuated with her. Despite this infatuation he decided to keep his love to himself, but love overpowers as he realizes that Julian also loves him. They meet and bare their souls to each other outside the Royal Opera house. This launches a whirlwind romance. Bradley and Julian love each other with passion and as their love blossoms.

Bradley and Ferocious Love and Sex '˜The Black Prince' becomes one of the most romantic works of literature. The lovers crave for each other and each encounter leaves them breathless for more. Bradley subtitles his memoir Celebration of Love. Murdoch uses the love of Bradley with a girl old enough to be his daughter to emphasize her point that sex itself is the great connective force to God and something that can be the most relaxing thing in life. The youthful Julian reciprocates the love of Bradley. Once she dresses up as Hamlet and so arouses Bradley that he makes ferocious love to her. Julian is the driving force and initiator for all that takes place. A Romantic fantasy The entire book is a romantic fantasy retold through the pen of Bradley. The character of Bradley Pearson has the same initials as the Black prince, B.P. Hamlet is the Black Prince and he faced tragedy, so does Bradley. Murdoch has created a character that is deeply emotional and philosophical. Dame Murdoch spent the last 5 years of her life with Alzheimer’s disease and died in 1999. Her husband was at her bedside.