Muriel Spark's novel Memento Mori is often hailed as her magnum opus, transcending even the popularity of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. This work offers a compelling examination of aging, mortality, and the human condition through the experiences of a cast primarily composed of elderly characters. By weaving elements of a detective story into the narrative, Spark artfully explores the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by her characters against the backdrop of life's inevitable end.

The Mystery of Mortality

At the heart of Memento Mori is a recurring, unsettling phone call received by many in the elderly community depicted in the novel. The caller, whose identity remains unknown, delivers a simple but sobering message: "Remember, you must die." This cryptic reminder serves as a catalyst, uniting the characters in their shared crisis and pushing them to confront their mortality. Unlike other literary works addressing aging, such as John Updike’s The Poorhouse Fair, Spark’s narrative creates a cohesive community through this shared experience.

Structural Suspense

Utilizing the conventions of a detective story, Spark engenders a sense of mystery and suspense throughout the novel. Characters like Dame Lettie perceive the mysterious caller as a personal threat, prompting fear and paranoia within the group. The tension escalates as some characters, feeling harassed, seek intervention from the police. Chief Inspector Mortimer, tasked with solving the conundrum, concludes that the caller is a metaphorical embodiment of death itself, encouraging individuals to live fully and meaningfully.

Moral and Ethical Exploration

While the enigmatic calls generate suspense, Spark's true focus lies in exploring the moral and ethical challenges her characters face. The diverse reactions to the calls reveal much about each individual's approach to life and death. Dame Lettie and Godfrey, for instance, are depicted as avoiding reflections on their mortality, opting instead for a life of comfort and complacency. In contrast, Percy Mannering intellectualizes the experience, using it as artistic inspiration.

Satirical Undertones

Spark's sharp wit and satirical tone shine through as she portrays the self-absorption and eccentricities of her characters. Alec Warner’s obsession with gerontological statistics, Dame Lettie's punitive will revisions, and Mrs. Pettigrew's manipulative schemes underscore the comedic and often absurd nature of their preoccupations. Through satire, Spark deflates the characters' egos, exposing their vulnerabilities and trivial pursuits.

Religion and Spiritual Reflection

Despite the predominantly secular lives of the characters, religion holds a subtle yet significant place in Memento Mori. Most characters, nominally Anglican, are more invested in worldly gains than spiritual fulfillment. However, Charmian Piper and Jean Taylor, both Roman Catholic, deviate from this norm. Their faith provides them solace and strength, with Charmian facing her mortality without fear and Taylor embodying acceptance and peace, undisturbed by the absence of an anonymous call.

The Moral Centers

Charmian, Taylor, and Chief Inspector Mortimer emerge as the moral anchors of the story. Charmian's decision to recover her mental faculties and choose her living arrangements reflects her acceptance of aging's limitations and her autonomy over her life. Taylor’s serene acceptance of her circumstances in the nursing home reveals her sense of community and contentment, underscoring the novel’s themes of dignity and self-awareness. Mortimer's understanding of the mysterious calls as prompts for introspection aligns with the overarching message of embracing life's impermanence with grace and gratitude.