The Different Faces of the Trickster: The Psychoanalyst and the Buddhist in Iris Murdoch's A Severed Head and The Sea, The Sea

Abstract

In Iris Murdoch’s novels, characters often search for a sense of purpose in life by attaching themselves to figures of authority. Two prominent powerful figures in her fiction are the characters of the psychoanalyst and the Buddhist. This study examines the way Murdoch has used the mythical trickster figure to highlight the opposing characteristics of the psychoanalyst and the Buddhist in the character of Palmer in A Severed Head and James in The Sea, The Sea. In these novels, both characters are portrayed as trickster figures who have a healing function in the lives of those around them. But while in A Severed Head Palmer uses the language of psychotherapy to further his own self-interests, in James’ character, Murdoch’s notion of the necessity of attending to other’s emotional and spiritual well-being is emphasized. This argument is supported by referring to Murdoch’s distrust of the ability of psychotherapy to solve individuals’ spiritual problems.