Sexuality, gender, and power in Iris Murdoch's fiction

"This study explores the overlooked themes of sexuality, gender, and power in Iris Murdoch's fiction, particularly the interplay of power, gender, and sexuality in her characters' personal and social relationships. Gender and sexuality were important topics for Murdoch to consider in her fiction because her views on aesthetics and philosophy were integral to her representation of these themes. Accordingly, Murdoch's representation of gender and sexuality demonstrates her preoccupation with realism and morality, as well as her insistence on individual autonomy and freedom of choice." "The study concludes that just as it is generally difficult to classify the genders and sexualities of Murdoch's characters, the author's narrative style also evades classification under traditional rubrics of gender or artistic achievement."--Jacket.