Under The Net Literary Analysis

Zaid Quntar

Under The Net

Dr. Bonvac

November 2015

Under the Net starts with Jake-A writer, the protagonist, and the narrator of the novel, and Finn, his friend, being thrown out of the apartment that they have been living there for free for almost two years by their friend Madge, who is concerned that her new, rich lover would not like her having two males living with her. In response to that, Jake tries to find shelter by asking other friends. Throughout the story, Jake goes through a different series of events that leads him to change his view of life and himself. A theme throughout the novel is the idea of reflection. Murdoch uses first person narrative view, metaphor, and reflection and relationships with other characters to understand the reality if life.

“All the time when I speak to you, even now, I'm saying not precisely what I think, but what will impress you and make you respond. That's so even between us - and how much more it's so where there are stronger motives for deception” (p141). Jake himself narrates this quote here. It is very clear that Jake believes that what people say or appear to others is not their true self. He is in a journey of exploration. It is possible that Jake is also a reflection of the author, to show how reality and truth are interconnected.

“Throughout the

novel, rivers or moving waters are mentioned constantly. “The river was black now under the night sky and glassy, a black mirror in which every lamp raised a pole of light and the conflagration in the sky above dropped an occasional piece of gold” (191). Rivers in the novel serve as a metaphor. When Jake says that his life goes with the flow, it serves as a metaphor that real life is not constant. He has no sense of direction but still tries to find stability and sense of direction.
Other characters in the novel serve as a reflection to each other as well.

For example, Jake and Jean-Pierre, and Anna and Sadie. Although Jake and Jean are two different people in the novel, they kind of mirror each other. Jake and Jean are both writers, however, Jean writes in French and a little bit successful, while Jake translates Jean’s works to English. After knowing that Jean has won a prize for his works, Jake wonders if he could too. “It's easier to sell junk when you're known than works of genius when you're unknown” (p16f). Jake did later on think about writing his own work, but in this quote he is talking about an unfortunate, yet reality of

life.
Murdoch also uses reflection when she talks about Anna and Sadie. They are sisters, however, they seem to be the total opposite of each other. Anna is more down to earth and subtle and Sadie is fake and pretentious. "The curious fantasy came to me that if I were to look under the drier at the real face and not at the reflection I should see there some terrible old witch" (p53). Here, Jake has came up with the realization again that people are not what they claim they are.
In conclusion, Murdoch’s main idea in the novel, or at least one of her main ideas, is that it is really hard to know someone by what they claim about themselves. The true reflection of a person is only realized by reality. There will always be a connection between truth and superficiality. Murdoch gives us a good understanding about life and even a better understanding of relationships, and truth.