“The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life.”
— The protagonist, Binx Bolling, reflects on the nature of his 'search' for meaning.
Archivist's Choice
The Moviegoer
Walker Percy (2011)
Genre
Literary Fiction / Philosophy
Reading Time
240 min
Key Themes
See below
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Amidst the boisterous spectacle of Mardi Gras, a disillusioned New Orleans stockbroker seeks authentic meaning beyond the silver screen and the inherited emptiness of his Southern life.
Synopsis
Binx Bolling, a thirty-year-old New Orleans stockbroker, feels alienated from his life, finding his only solace and sense of reality in movie theaters. As Mardi Gras approaches, he begins a 'search' for meaning, observing the world around him and reflecting on his own detachment. His aunt Emily, concerned by his drift, urges him to take responsibility and marry. Binx, however, is drawn to his troubled cousin, Kate Cutrer, who is suicidal and equally lost. They embark on an impulsive trip together, first to the Gulf Coast and then by train to Chicago, where they pretend to be honeymooners. This shared pretense and their mutual understanding of existential despair lead to an unexpected intimacy. Aunt Emily eventually intervenes, confronting Binx about his responsibilities, particularly to Kate. Binx and Kate return to New Orleans, where Binx, having faced his own anomie and Kate's fragility, decides to marry her. He commits to a life of quiet service as a doctor in a poor neighborhood, recognizing that his search for ultimate meaning might be found in the mundane, in the 'everydayness' of life, rather than in grand epiphanies or cinematic escapes. The novel concludes with Binx embracing his new path, accepting his role in Kate's life, and finding a tentative peace in his chosen existence.
Reading time
240 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Slow
Mood
Introspective, Philosophical, Melancholy, Poignant
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy introspective literary fiction that explores themes of alienation, existentialism, and the search for meaning in modern life, particularly with a Southern American sensibility.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced plots, clear-cut resolutions, or stories with strong external conflict and action.
Plot Summary
Binx Bolling's Everyday Search
The novel opens with Binx Bolling, a New Orleans stockbroker nearing his thirtieth birthday, describing his routine and his peculiar 'search.' He lives a comfortable but emotionally distant life, finding solace and a sense of reality primarily in movie theaters, where he feels more present than in his actual life. He observes the world and its inhabitants, including his secretary Sharon Kincaid, through a detached, almost cinematic lens. Binx often reflects on the pervasive 'malaise' of modern existence, a feeling of unreality and spiritual emptiness that he believes afflicts many. He lives in a furnished room in Gentilly, away from his wealthy Garden District family, further emphasizing his sense of alienation. He meticulously tracks his moviegoing habits and categorizes people into 'moviegoers' and 'non-moviegoers,' defining his own existence by his observations of the cinematic world.
A Weekend with Aunt Emily and Kate
Binx spends a weekend at his aunt Emily Cutrer's house in the Garden District. Aunt Emily, a matriarch of the old Southern aristocracy, embodies a strong sense of duty and tradition, often expressing her disappointment in Binx's aimlessness despite his financial success. During this visit, he encounters his cousin Kate Cutrer, who is deeply troubled and has recently attempted suicide. Kate is emotionally fragile, prone to panic attacks, and struggles with an overwhelming sense of dread. Binx feels a complex pull towards her, recognizing a shared, albeit more extreme, spiritual emptiness. Their interactions show a delicate tension, with Binx observing her with a mixture of concern and a peculiar fascination, seeing in her a reflection of the 'malaise' he constantly seeks to understand.
The Mardi Gras Interlude and Proposed Trip
As Mardi Gras festivities begin to envelop New Orleans, Binx and Kate find themselves drawn together. Kate, in one of her more lucid moments, asks Binx to take her away from the city and her suffocating family environment. Binx, seeing an opportunity for a 'lunge' out of his malaise, impulsively agrees to take her on a trip. He suggests Chicago, a place far removed from their Southern roots and the expectations of their family. This decision is made amidst the chaotic and vibrant backdrop of Mardi Gras, an event that Binx views with his characteristic detachment, seeing it as another form of escape or distraction for the masses. Their shared sense of unreality and desire for an authentic experience fuels this sudden plan.
The Train Journey and Intimacy
Binx and Kate board a train for Chicago, starting a period of intense, if unconventional, intimacy. On the train, they pretend to be a newlywed couple, a role-play that Binx finds both absurd and strangely comforting, as it provides a ready-made identity. Kate's emotional fragility is evident, but she also exhibits moments of clarity and a desperate need for connection. Their conversations explore their shared feelings of alienation, dread, and the search for meaning. Binx observes Kate's anxieties and tries to offer a grounded presence, even as he struggles with his own existential questions. The train journey symbolizes their attempt to escape their past and find a new reality together, however temporary.
Chicago and the Honeymoon Pretense
In Chicago, Binx and Kate continue their pretense of being newlyweds, checking into hotels and exploring the city as if on a honeymoon. This role-playing provides a temporary structure and meaning to their interactions, allowing them to bypass the awkwardness of their real, complicated relationship. Binx finds himself more engaged in the present moment through this charade, observing the mundane details of their hotel rooms and the city with a heightened awareness. Kate, too, seems to find a fragile stability in the performance, though her underlying anxieties occasionally resurface. They engage in physical intimacy, which Binx perceives as another form of escape or a way to feel 'real,' rather than a deep emotional connection. Their time in Chicago is a series of staged moments, further blurring the lines between reality and performance.
Aunt Emily's Intervention
Their 'honeymoon' is abruptly interrupted when Aunt Emily, having discovered their whereabouts, sends her lawyer, Mr. McGehee, to bring them back to New Orleans. This intervention forces Binx and Kate to abandon their charade and confront the reality of their situation. Mr. McGehee's presence represents the societal expectations and family pressures they tried to escape. Binx feels a familiar sense of detachment even as he deals with the consequences of his actions. Kate, predictably, becomes more distressed and withdrawn, showing her inability to cope with external pressures. This event marks a turning point, signaling the end of their spontaneous escape and the necessity of returning to their established lives, albeit changed by their experience.
Return to New Orleans and Reconciliation
Back in New Orleans, Binx and Kate face Aunt Emily's disapproval and the weight of their family's expectations. Binx reflects on his past, particularly the death of his brother, Jack, during the Korean War, and his own near-death experience, events that profoundly shaped his detached worldview. He begins to see that his 'search' has been largely intellectual and observational, and that a different kind of engagement might be necessary. He has conversations with Aunt Emily, who, despite her traditional views, genuinely cares for him and Kate. Binx starts to consider a more committed relationship with Kate, seeing in her not just a reflection of his malaise, but also a potential path to genuine connection and responsibility. He proposes marriage to her, offering a new kind of 'lunge' into a more integrated life.
Binx's Decision and a New Path
Binx, having proposed to Kate, makes a conscious decision to commit to her and to a different way of living. He recognizes that his former life of detached observation and cinematic escapism, while intellectually stimulating, has left him unfulfilled. He decides to enroll in medical school, a move that surprises his family, as it signifies a shift from his financially successful but spiritually empty career as a stockbroker. This decision is not presented as a definitive solution to his existential 'malaise,' but rather as a deliberate step towards engagement and responsibility. He understands that the 'search' might not end, but that he can choose to live a life of active participation rather than passive observation. His marriage to Kate and his choice of profession represent a commitment to the tangible world and to others.
A Glimpse into the Future
The novel concludes with a brief epilogue several years later. Binx and Kate are married and have children. Binx is indeed studying medicine, working as an intern in a New Orleans hospital. He now finds meaning in the practical demands of his work, attending to the sick and dying, recognizing the inherent value in direct human connection and service. Kate, though still prone to anxiety, finds solace in their shared life and the responsibilities of family. Binx reflects that while the 'search' for meaning hasn't entirely disappeared, it has transformed. He no longer relies on movies for a sense of reality but finds it in the everyday struggles and joys of his family and his profession. He has moved from an intellectualized detachment to a more engaged, albeit still questioning, existence, finding a fragile peace in commitment and responsibility.
Principal Figures
Binx Bolling
The Protagonist
Binx moves from a life of detached observation and intellectual 'search' to one of committed engagement and responsibility, finding a fragile peace in marriage and a career in medicine.
Kate Cutrer
The Supporting
Kate begins as a deeply troubled and suicidal individual, gradually finding a measure of stability and peace through her relationship with Binx and the responsibilities of family life.
Aunt Emily Cutrer
The Supporting
Her character remains largely consistent, serving as a moral anchor and a representation of traditional Southern society.
Sharon Kincaid
The Supporting
Sharon's character arc is not central; she remains a static figure representing a certain type of conventional existence Binx observes.
Walter Wade
The Mentioned
Walter's role is primarily to provide a contrast to Binx and to highlight Kate's struggles with conventional relationships.
Mr. McGehee
The Supporting
His role is functional, serving to advance the plot by bringing Binx and Kate back to their family.
Jack Bolling
The Mentioned
Jack's arc is entirely in the past, serving as a foundational element of Binx's psychology.
Themes & Insights
The Search for Meaning and Authenticity
The central theme is Binx Bolling's existential 'search' for meaning in a world he perceives as inauthentic and devoid of spiritual substance. He constantly tries to break through the 'malaise' of modern life, which he defines as a feeling of unreality and spiritual emptiness. This search appears in his meticulous observations of others, his fascination with movies, and his attempts to find 'lapses' or 'moments of disclosure' where reality might break through. His journey with Kate is a significant part of this search, as he tries to find authenticity not in abstract thought, but in concrete human connection and responsibility. The novel suggests that while the search may never fully end, a more authentic existence can be found in commitment to others and the tangible world.
“What is the nature of the search? From time to time I have undertaken to put it down, but it is like trying to cram a foot into a shoe too small for it.”
Alienation and Detachment
Binx embodies modern alienation and detachment. He feels a deep separation from the world and the people in it, observing them as if through a pane of glass. This detachment allows him to analyze and categorize, but prevents him from fully participating in life. His preference for movies over real-life interactions shows his inability to connect authentically. Kate's extreme anxiety and dread are another sign of this alienation, as she feels disconnected from her own emotions and the demands of existence. The novel explores how this detachment can be both a coping mechanism and a source of deep loneliness, suggesting that true engagement requires overcoming this barrier.
“The movies are onto the search, but they screw it up. The search always ends in a woman.”
Reality vs. Illusion/Performance
A theme is the blurred line between reality and illusion, particularly in modern life and Binx's cinematic worldview. Binx often feels that life itself is a performance, and people are playing roles. He finds more 'reality' in the fabricated worlds of movies than in his own mundane existence. His and Kate's pretense of being newlyweds in Chicago exemplifies this, as they create an artificial reality to escape their authentic troubles. The novel questions what constitutes 'real' experience and suggests that modern society often encourages a kind of living that is superficial and performative, making it difficult to find genuine substance.
“The surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the red-blooded American male is to promise him something that can be attained by the purchase of an automobile, a refrigerator, a suit of clothes, or a laxative.”
The Role of Faith and Spirituality
Though not overtly religious, the novel explores questions of faith and spirituality, particularly in a post-religious, secular age. Binx's 'malaise' is essentially a spiritual void, a lack of transcendent meaning. His 'search' can be interpreted as a quest for a spiritual anchor, even if he doesn't frame it in traditional religious terms. Aunt Emily represents a more traditional, duty-bound spirituality, while Binx struggles with the absence of such clear guidance. The ending, with Binx finding purpose in service and responsibility, suggests a path towards a lived spirituality, rather than an intellectual or dogmatic one, hinting at the Catholic existentialism that influenced Percy.
“Either I'm a anachronism or I'm a sport. If I'm an anachronism, I'm a lost cause. If I'm a sport, I'm a new species.”
Southern Identity and Tradition
The novel uses Southern identity and tradition, particularly through Aunt Emily and the New Orleans setting. Aunt Emily embodies aristocratic Southern values of honor, duty, and family lineage, providing a stark contrast to Binx's modern alienation. The Mardi Gras setting, with its blend of celebration and underlying melancholy, reflects the complex cultural environment. Binx's struggle to find meaning within this traditional framework shows the tension between a romanticized past and a disillusioned present. The South is both a source of Binx's heritage and a cultural context from which he feels deeply detached.
“The great thing about the South is that it has a past. The great thing about the North is that it has a future.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Narrator (Binx Bolling)
The entire story is filtered through Binx's introspective and detached consciousness.
The novel is told entirely from Binx Bolling's perspective, allowing readers direct access to his complex inner world, his philosophical ponderings, and his unique observations. This device immerses the reader in Binx's 'search' and his feeling of 'malaise,' as every event and character is filtered through his cynical, yet deeply introspective, lens. It emphasizes the subjective nature of reality and the protagonist's intellectual detachment, making his internal monologue the primary action of the novel. The reader experiences his existential angst and his attempts to make sense of the world alongside him.
The 'Search' and the 'Malaise'
Binx's intellectual framework for understanding his spiritual emptiness and quest for meaning.
These are not just themes, but integral plot devices that structure Binx's narrative and his interactions. The 'malaise' is the pervasive feeling of unreality and spiritual emptiness that Binx identifies in himself and others. The 'search' is his conscious, intellectual attempt to break through this malaise and find authentic meaning. These concepts provide the internal motivation for all of Binx's actions, from his moviegoing habits to his impulsive trip with Kate. They serve as a constant internal monologue, guiding his observations and reflections, and defining his unique way of perceiving the world and his place in it.
Cinematic Metaphor/Moviegoing
Movies serve as a lens through which Binx understands and experiences reality.
Movies are a pervasive metaphor and a central plot device. Binx finds more reality and emotional resonance in films than in his own life, often categorizing people as 'moviegoers' or 'non-moviegoers.' He uses cinematic terms to describe his experiences and observes life as if it were a film. This device highlights his detachment from authentic experience and his preference for mediated reality. It also serves as a commentary on modern culture's reliance on manufactured experiences for meaning, and how these can both offer escape and further alienate individuals from their own lives. His eventual move away from this reliance signals his growth.
Role-Playing and Pretense
Characters adopt roles to cope with reality or to find temporary meaning.
The act of role-playing, particularly Binx and Kate pretending to be newlyweds, is a significant plot device. This pretense allows them to bypass the complexities of their actual troubled relationship and find a temporary, structured identity. For Binx, it's another way to feel 'real' by adopting a ready-made narrative. For Kate, it offers a fragile sense of normalcy and protection from her anxieties. This device underscores the theme of reality vs. illusion, suggesting that sometimes adopting a role can be a way to navigate a world that feels inauthentic, or even a step towards finding a more genuine self.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The only thing I am a sucker for is a movie.”
— Binx describes his primary escape and fascination.
“Why is it that on the one hand we understand all about the Cosmos and on the other hand we don't know beans about ourselves?”
— Binx ponders the paradox of scientific advancement versus self-knowledge.
“The movies are onto the search, but they screw it up.”
— Binx acknowledges movies' attempt to address profound themes but critiques their execution.
“To become a castaway is to be a person who has taken the first step in the search.”
— Binx considers the state of being an outsider as a prerequisite for genuine inquiry.
“It is a sweet mystery, the movie house, so dark and intimate and sad.”
— Binx reflects on the unique atmosphere and emotional pull of the cinema.
“The moviegoer has been everywhere and seen everything.”
— Binx describes the vicarious experiences gained through film.
“Nowadays, the only way to be a hero is to be a movie star.”
— Binx observes the modern shift in cultural heroism.
“Am I in a movie? I wonder.”
— Binx frequently blurs the line between his own life and the narratives he consumes.
“The fact is I am a moviegoer and I have been a moviegoer ever since I can remember.”
— Binx firmly establishes his defining characteristic and lifelong habit.
“There is a difference between the everydayness of the world and the everydayness of a movie.”
— Binx distinguishes between lived reality and cinematic portrayal.
“What does a man do when he is no longer a moviegoer?”
— Binx contemplates life beyond his primary mode of engagement with the world.
“It is possible for a man to attain the double freedom: freedom from the world and freedom for himself.”
— Binx considers a profound form of personal liberation.
“The movies are onto the search, but they screw it up.”
— Binx repeats this sentiment, emphasizing his mixed feelings about cinema's ability to capture truth.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
"The Moviegoer" is about Binx Bolling, a young New Orleans stockbroker nearing his thirtieth birthday, who feels a profound sense of alienation and meaninglessness in his everyday life. He seeks escape and a sense of 'authenticity' through watching movies, which he finds more real than his own existence. The novel follows his internal and external journey, particularly during Mardi Gras, as he grapples with existential questions and navigates complex relationships with his family, especially his troubled cousin Kate Cutrer.
About the author
Walker Percy, OblSB was an American writer whose interests included philosophy and semiotics. Percy is noted for his philosophical novels set in and around New Orleans; his first, The Moviegoer, won the National Book Award for Fiction.
