Style and Technique
Walker Percy's novel exudes a distinctive blend of European literary influence and Southern heritage, sculpting a narrative that ventures into philosophical realms through a unique American lens. Percy once remarked on his unconventional approach, inspired by French literary customs, to interweave philosophical ideas with fiction. This innovative method was sparked by his encounters with philosophical giants like Kierkegaard and Marcel, though the narrative's existential undertones resonate with the works of Camus and Sartre. The novel culminates in a conclusion reminiscent of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, cementing Percy's European literary ties.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans during the week of Ash Wednesday, the novel unfolds through the introspective monologue of Binx Bolling. Critics have lauded Percy's vivid depiction of the cityscape, particularly his nuanced renderings of nature, such as the serene image of a white heron and the subtle menace of a swimming snake, which Binx encounters while fishing with his mother. These moments capture the essence of a time and place with remarkable sensory detail. However, some readers perceive Binx's narrative voice as deliberately flat and detached, a stylistic choice that accentuates his existential search for meaning.
The novel's epilogue marks a transformative shift in Binx's journey, where he makes a Kierkegaardian "leap of faith," reconnecting with his Catholic roots. This section is not just a resolution of Binx's internal conflicts but also a poignant exploration of familial bonds and religious rituals. As Binx comforts his siblings in the face of Lonnie's impending death, his newfound faith is underscored by the Catholic sacrament of extreme unction. Although this aspect may seem subdued compared to the dramatic baptism in Percy's The Last Gentleman, it resonates with ritualistic emotional depth, especially among religious readers. The epilogue's quiet yet profound affirmation of faith imbues the novel with a sense of spiritual solace, echoing the thematic complexity that Percy deftly navigates throughout his work.
Historical Context
Percy consistently explores a single concern and theme in all his novels: the alienation individuals feel from themselves, others, society, and, most importantly, from God. This general concern aligns with European existentialists, but his focus on humanity's estrangement from God resonates with Christian existentialists like Kierkegaard and Marcel. In interviews and essays, Percy has clarified that he views mankind's alienation, or "exile" as the Catholic prayer Salve Regina describes it, as the ancient and central Christian doctrine of the Fall. In simpler terms, as Percy illustrates in his novels, people are in a dire state and always have been, and they need to reconcile with themselves, others, society, and God.
Since Percy believes all forms of alienation originate from a central Fall from grace, it is often difficult to distinguish an individual's efforts to overcome self-alienation from their attempts to overcome alienation from others, society, and God. Each of Percy's novels features a central character (typically an affluent, white Southern male) striving to conquer these alienations. His novels also critique society, particularly for its racism, which Percy sees as a sign of societal self-alienation (he maintains that no Southern writer can ignore the racial issue), and for what he deems sexual abuse, including promiscuity and homosexuality, which he views as signs of people's alienation from each other and their true selves. Additionally, Percy criticizes "Christendom" (as opposed to Christianity, following Kierkegaard's distinction) for permitting the persistence of racism and sexual abuse.
Setting
The interplay of setting in Walker Percy’s "The Moviegoer" creates a backdrop that mirrors the protagonist Binx Bolling's internal struggles. From the genteel confines of New Orleans’ Garden District to the sprawling suburb of Gentilly, each locale offers a distinct contrast to Binx's search for meaning....
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These settings are more than mere backdrops; they are intertwined with Binx's journey, reflecting his ambivalence and existential quest.
New Orleans
The vibrant city of New Orleans, with its blend of old-world charm and modernity, serves as a central stage for Binx’s existential exploration. His great-aunt Emily and Uncle Jules Cutrer reside in the refined Garden District, a place steeped in tradition and southern aristocracy. Their home, with its antique furnishings and African American servants, embodies the patrician values Aunt Emily wishes Binx would adopt. Despite his lineage, Binx chooses a different path, working in stock brokerage and residing in Gentilly, a middle-class suburb far removed from the Garden District's grandeur.
In Gentilly, Binx finds comfort in the monotony and routine of suburban life. His basement apartment in a bungalow owned by Mrs. Schexnaydre is a sanctuary filled with modern appliances—a stark contrast to Aunt Emily’s stately abode. The Elysian Fields of Gentilly, named after the mythical resting place of heroes, symbolize Binx’s preference for the mundane over the French Quarter's vibrant chaos and the Garden District's staid elegance. Gentilly, with its movie theaters, offers Binx a temporary escape from his existential dread.
Bayou des Allemands
Binx’s relationship with nature, as represented by the Bayou des Allemands, further underscores his internal conflict. Once a summer refuge during his youth, this fishing camp now reveals the pervasive reach of mundanity. Accompanied by his girlfriend Sharon, Binx visits his mother and stepfather here, only to find the same sense of everydayness he seeks to escape. The informal supper shared with the Smiths, his mother’s family, starkly contrasts with the formal dining style of Aunt Emily’s household, yet neither setting alleviates his depression.
Feliciana Parish
The fictional Feliciana Parish serves as another significant setting, representing the fading legacy of southern aristocracy. Percy acknowledges the real East and West Feliciana parishes but alters their geography to suit the novel’s narrative. The Bollings' ancestral home, Lynwood, located here, symbolizes the outdated reliance on social class and tradition, which Binx ultimately rejects. This rejection marks Binx’s departure from the societal norms that once defined his family.
Chicago
In stark contrast to the southern locations, Chicago introduces a different urban landscape. Binx and Kate travel to this bustling city following Kate’s suicide attempt, seeking a new beginning. However, Chicago's imposing architecture and chilling winds only intensify Binx's urban malaise. During this trip, they reconnect with Harold Graebner, a war hero who saved Binx’s life in Korea. Graebner, now a content family man, fails to comprehend the existential angst that plagues Binx and Kate, highlighting their isolation in the midst of Harold’s conventional success.
Eufaula
Lastly, Eufaula, Alabama, home to Binx's secretary Sharon Kincaid, presents a contrasting narrative of contentment. Unlike Binx and Kate, Sharon remains unburdened by existential despair, her small-town upbringing shielding her from the emotional turmoil they endure. Sharon's ability to view life with a sense of simplicity and acceptance stands in stark contrast to the introspective and troubled paths of Binx and Kate.
Through these diverse settings, "The Moviegoer" intricately weaves a tapestry of locales that echo Binx Bolling’s internal journey. Each place, from New Orleans’ bustling streets to the serene yet stagnant bayou, contributes to a rich exploration of identity, tradition, and the search for meaning in the modern world.
