What is the main conflict in A Severed Head by Iris Murdoch?

The novel's main conflict is centered around Martin's marriage. The reader is quickly introduced to Antonia, Martin's wife, and Palmer Anderson. Palmer Anderson is Martin's best friend and Antonia's psychoanalyst. Martin finds out early on that Antonia is having an affair with Palmer that results in Antonia asking for a divorce. Ironically, Martin is baffled and wounded. It is clear that Martin feels betrayed even though he, too, has been having an affair. The book has a great deal of mental anguish and manipulation regarding intimate relationships.