THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EPISTOLARY MOTIF IN LITERATURE: A STUDY OF IRIS MURDOCH'S NOVELS

This article explores the evolution and functional significance of the epistolary genre in western literature, with a specific focus on the novels of Iris Murdoch. By analyzing works such as Under the Net, The Flight from the Enchanter, and The Unicorn, the study demonstrates how letters serve as a psychological investigation of the human soul. The research highlights how the epistolary motif aids in revealing the existential struggles, subjectivity, and inner transformations of characters, bridging the gap between their private microcosms and external reality.