The quote highlights the theme of male complicity in a patriarchal society, emphasizing how men often collectively participate in and benefit from systems of chauvinism. This complicity is portrayed as a form of moral failure, where their enjoyment of the present moment overshadows the suffering and chaos surrounding them. Murdoch suggests that this complicity can be seen as a form of complicity in wrongdoing, reflecting a deeper societal issue.
The author, Iris Murdoch, uses this perspective to critique the relational dynamics between genders, raising awareness about the complacency of men in perpetuating injustice. The imagery of “gluttonously enjoying the present” evokes a sense of recklessness and disregard for others, calling into question the moral implications of such behavior in the face of broader societal turmoil.