Literary Criticism: A Word Child (Iris Murdoch)

The novel A Word Child describes in detail the life of Hilary Burde.  A man of forty-one years old, a civil servant who lives in London.

Each day is dedicated to a particular activity, for instance every Thursday he has to take a shower at five in the afternoon.

Iris Murdoch describes his senses of guilt and the necessity of pacification with the outside world.

In order to satisfy his needs, he feels the necessity to speak to Gunnar the husband of Anne telling him that the car accident was not intentional, the reason is that he wants to atone for his sins, which are devouring his soul and his very existence.

He lives for his sister Crystal (he didn't commit suicide) he wants the best for her.

Hilary Burde, has had a terrible childhood, he never knew his father and he lost his mother when he was seven years old.

His existence is no less. He caused the death of Anne who was expecting a child then her son committed suicide.

Crystal Burde is his sister, she is 35 years old yet virgin.

GunnarJopling is the husband of Anne and then Lady Kitty.

Anne Jopling is the wife of Gunnar.

Thomasina McGrath is a fundamental friend of Hilary, she provides a contrasting perspective on life and forgiveness, she will defy the internal demons and defeat the demons that live in Hilary's mind.

Arthur Fish is the future husband of Crystal.

Cristopher Crampton is a colleague of Hilary's who serves as a foil to his character.

Clifford Larr is a close friend of Hilary, they are linked by the death of his sister who died of cancer at the age of twenty years old.

Mr. Osmand is a schoolmaster who taught Hilary a love of literature and the spoken word as a means of escape.

The conflict is solely about Hilary, the guilt is devouring his existence, in opposition to his desire for redemption. Love will be able to defeat his internal monsters.

The fate and the free will, for instance the accidental death of Anne.

He drove the car in an altered psychophysical alteration. This does not justify his free decision to drive his car.

The best passage is when he describes Big Ben enveloped by the fog, I associated it with his state of mind.

It is a novel to read to know the internal conflicts of a man who has not intentionally caused the death of a woman.