"Something Special", is the only short story written by Iris Murdoch, published originally in the 1950's for an anthology in Japan it has since been re-published following its recent discovery.
Setting of "Something Special"
The story, whilst haunting is stark in emotional realism and centres on a Dublin community during the 1950's where a young woman named Yvonne shares the living and working space of a small shop managed by her mother that, probably among other items, also sells Christmas cards.
Yvonne is encouraged by her mother and uncle to make the sensible choice of marrying a man named Sam who is 'courting her', but Yvonne is reluctant to take any interest in any future plans they may have for her.
This is because in the beginning, Yvonne dreams of meeting somebody 'special' who will offer her a life of fulfillment through expansive new horizons, which she hopes will one day take her away from the limited and narrow expectations life presently offers her.
Romantic Verses the Realistic in "Something Special"
In choosing a marriage partner, the contrast in character viewpoints is seen in conversations Yvonne has with her mother and an uncle, who both believe Yvonne to be in no position at all to wish for anyone special in married life. Therefore, they insist she learn to settlle down as other girls her age have done by choosing a suitable husband.
As Yvonne's uncle is keen to point out, 'Sensible people marry because they want to be in the married state and not because of feelings they have in their breasts'
On the other hand, Yvonne's opposing romantic need for escapism is reflected in conversations she has with her family in which the constant refrain is her wish for 'something special' to make her life stand out from the crowd:
'He's nothing special' Yvonne explains, to which her uncle replies, 'nothing special is it...our Lord was one of the Jews' when he attempts to persuade Yvonne that since Sam is from the chosen race this alone should be 'special' enough for her.
Therefore, whether it be the choices made over suitable marriage partners for Yvonne, or the Christmas cards Yvonne's mother buys for the shop, which are always ordinary and understated, Yvonne's opinions are consistently at odds with the sensible choices endorsed by other members of her family.
Yvonne's Character
It is accurate to describe the central protagonist as an assertive and outspoken woman who does not wish to yield to the lot that has been cast down to her by a poor upbringing, in wishing to marry somebody perhaps with wealth or good fortune.
However, in the midst of this stubborn independence, Yvonne's character also demonstrates a sincere moral goodness in her eventual decision to overturn flights of vanity over an imagined future, by giving her consent to marry Sam.
As a result, Yvonne shows that she is also a vulnerable character in her ability to accept the few decisions she is permitted to have some say in. This unveils a more complex side to her character, with a moral virtue endorsed by Iris Murdoch's own documented beliefs about the 'sovereignty of good' over other ideological viewpoints.
Therefore, Yvonne's description of a typically Murdochian social realism, makes her a stronger character as the result of refusing to behave like a damsel in distress who needs rescuing by a powerful man. This then helps her rise to the challenges which life brings before her by helping her to learn that she must face difficult situations, such as choosing a marriage partner who helps her to recognise the role she must play as a woman with few choices in lfe.
A Special Evening
The turning point for Yvonne occurs when she goes out for an evening to meet with Sam who insists that he will make their evening together a special one. On this occasion, Sam shows Yvonne a fallen tree with its leaves scattered to the ground following a recent storm.
Sam explains to her: 'It's so beautiful, though indeed it's a sad thing for a tree to lie like this, all fresh with its green leaves on the ground, like a flower that's been picked. I know it's a sad thing'
In this scenario, Sam appears to be reaching out to Yvonne in an act of simplicity and honesty, to help Yvonne recognise the symbolism of the tree's spoilt youth in her own similar denial of romantic fulfillment.
After returning home, Yvonne is questioned by her mother about the evening spent with Sam as she explains 'nothing happened'. She repeats the phrase, 'nothing, nothing', 'nothing I say', to which her mother reacts saying, 'stop saying nothing' and 'you must have done something'.
Now it is clear that the character's roles have been reversed, with Yvonne's mother wanting something 'special' for her daughter, and Yvonne accepting the hand of fate by wishing for 'nothing' because she understands that what she is looking forward to now is '.. a sad thing', as opposed to something special. Yvonne makes the right decision by her family and declares to her mother that she will marry Sam.
Virtue Over Vanity
In Iris Murdoch's essay entitled 'The Sovereignty of Good Over Other Concepts' (1967) she explains that to be truly virtuous is to embrace the realism of everyday life, to avoid the escapism of fantasy in day-dreaming. As Murdoch writes, 'If there is any kind of sense or unity in human life, and the dream of this does not cease to haunt us some other kind must be sought within human experience' (p365)
This reminds us of Yvonne's decision to embrace realism over fantasy which involves facing difficult decisions in learning to meet unfulfilled expectations, yet in doing so she proves her worth by refusing to hide from reality and live for the experiences of life.
Reference
Iris Murdoch,Something Special, Chatto & Windus, (1999)
Iris Murdoch, Existentialists and Mystics,: Writings on Philosophy and literature, Chatto & Windus, (1997)
Iris Murdoch, Something Special ,
Further InterestCentre for Iris Murdoch Studies
Alicia Rudd - Alicia enjoys literature which explores the connections between the romantic and the realistic, the mythicised and the ordinary. In ...
