Jake is in love with Anna, who has feelings for Hugo, who is infatuated with Sadie, who, in turn, is fond of Jake. This tangled web of unrequited love mirrors the complexities of a Shakespearean play and is a central theme in Murdoch’s debut novel. Jake, who claims to dislike people and shuns relationships, unexpectedly develops feelings for Anna. While she occasionally shows interest, she remains elusive. Anna becomes fascinated by Hugo, drawn to his intellect and inspiration. She even gives up singing—a talent Jake deeply appreciates—to focus on Hugo, who is busy creating a mime theatre.

Although Anna is smitten with Hugo, he is more interested in her sister, Sadie. Hugo becomes obsessed with Sadie, whom he considers more intelligent. His clumsy efforts to win her affection make Sadie so uneasy that she fears for her safety and turns to Jake for protection from Hugo.

The concept of silence is a recurring theme throughout the novel. Jake's sole published book, "The Silencer," is heavily influenced by Hugo's ideas and philosophy. These ideas echo those of the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein, who argued that language cannot sufficiently express profound truths. Silence is also central to Anna's mime theater, where performers remain voiceless and the audience is discouraged from applauding. Jake values his friend Finn for his quiet nature, and even Mister Mars, the movie star dog, stays silent, not barking when Jake and Finn abduct him.

Jake makes his living by translating French novels into English, yet he struggles to communicate effectively during his visit to Paris, adding another dimension to the theme of silence. This notion is captured in a conversation where Hugo tells Jake, “For most of us, for almost all of us, truth can be attained, if at all, only in silence.”

Jake's role as a writer further underscores this theme. Throughout the novel, he never expresses his own voice in his work and instead translates novels by another author—whom Jake deems mediocre. Jake's only published work is essentially another form of translation, as it simply transcribes his dialogues with Hugo. He feels embarrassed by this publication, believing he has merely replicated Hugo's ideas. It is not until the novel's end, inspired by the acclaim received by French author Breteuil, that Jake endeavors to find his own voice.

Many critics describe Jake and Hugo's relationship as a dynamic between an artist and a saint. The artist's task is to communicate and mold ideas into a tangible form, while the saint is introspective, serving as a channel for ideas to emerge. The bond between Jake and Hugo reaches its peak when they take part in medical trials for new cold remedies. During this time, they delve deeply into theorizing and discussing philosophical ideas. Hugo's insights are more impactful than Jake's. He embodies the contemplative role, with his thoughts flowing naturally, often unaware that he is speaking. This is illustrated towards the novel's conclusion when Hugo fails to recognize his own ideas in Jake's book, which is based on Hugo's concepts. Upon reading the book, Hugo compliments Jake's originality and admits that some ideas were too profound for him.

Jake took Hugo's concepts, restructured them, and made them more approachable, similar to his work with the French author Breteuil. Jake considers Breteuil's writing awkward, requiring his input to refine it while translating from French to English. Jake even claims credit for improving Breteuil's work. Despite his critiques of Breteuil, Jake does not produce his original work until the end of the novel. While Jake feels a strong urge to record his thoughts, Hugo lacks this inclination. By the novel's conclusion, Hugo's only goal is to learn watchmaking, perhaps as another meditative pursuit.