Keywords
Abstract
This study critically examines existentialist themes in Iris Murdoch’s The Black Prince, focusing on mortality, ethics, and human consciousness. The novel presents characters who confront the inevitability of death, navigate complex moral dilemmas, and engage in profound self-reflection, highlighting the challenges of authentic existence. Through introspective narration and psychological depth, Murdoch explores the interplay between ethical responsibility, individual freedom, and awareness of mortality. The analysis demonstrates that the novel not only portrays the human struggle with moral and existential questions but also emphasizes the role of consciousness in shaping identity, choice, and emotional experience. By examining these existential dimensions, the study provides insight into Murdoch’s philosophical vision and her contribution to 20th-century literary existentialism.
References
1. Murdoch, I. (1973). The Black Prince. London: Chatto & Windus.
2. Sartre, J.-P. (1943). Being and Nothingness. New York: Washington Square Press.
3. Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and Time (J. Macquarrie & E. Robinson, Trans.). New York: Harper & Row.
4. de Beauvoir, S. (1948). The Ethics of Ambiguity. New York: Philosophical Library.
5. Bradshaw, D. (2001). Iris Murdoch: Philosopher, Novelist, Human Being. Oxford: Oxford University Press.