The Moviegoer summary

The Pursuit of Authenticity

In The Moviegoer by Walker Percy, we follow the life of John Bickerson “Binx” Bolling, a young stockbroker living in New Orleans. Binx is a self-proclaimed 'moviegoer' who feels detached from the real world and finds solace in the lives of the characters he sees on the silver screen. He is haunted by the existential question of what it means to be 'authentic' in a world filled with people who are merely play-acting their lives.

Binx's search for authenticity is further complicated by his relationships with women. He is casually involved with his secretaries, and his cousin Kate, who is struggling with mental health issues. Binx's detachment from his own emotions and those of others is evident as he remains aloof and uncommitted in these relationships, using them as diversions from his own existential crisis.

The Journey of Self-Discovery

When Binx is forced to confront his own mortality after an unexpected death in his family, his search for authenticity intensifies. He embarks on a road trip to Chicago with Kate, hoping to help her find meaning in her life. However, their journey is marked by a series of surreal and disorienting experiences, leading Binx to question the very nature of reality.

As the novel progresses, Binx becomes increasingly disillusioned with the superficiality of his surroundings. He realizes that the world is filled with 'everydayness' - a term he uses to describe the mundane and predictable nature of life. Despite his yearning for something more, Binx feels trapped within this cycle of everydayness, unable to break free and find the authenticity he so desperately seeks.

The Inevitable Confrontation

Upon returning to New Orleans, Binx is confronted with the consequences of his detachment. Kate's mental health deteriorates, and she attempts suicide. Binx is forced to confront his own role in her suffering, as he realizes that his inability to engage authentically with others has contributed to the pain in his own life as well as those around him.

In a moment of clarity, Binx understands that he cannot continue living as a mere spectator, observing life from a safe distance. He must actively participate in the world, taking risks and embracing the uncertainty that comes with genuine human connection. Only then can he hope to find the authenticity he has been searching for.

The Final Revelation

In the novel's final act, Binx makes a bold decision. He rejects his comfortable, yet unfulfilling, life as a stockbroker and decides to pursue a career as a merchant marine, a choice that symbolizes his newfound willingness to embrace life's unpredictability and take risks. This decision marks a significant shift in Binx's outlook, as he finally begins to engage with the world on its own terms.

In conclusion, The Moviegoer is a thought-provoking exploration of existentialism, alienation, and the search for authenticity. Through Binx's journey, Walker Percy invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider the ways in which we may be living inauthentically. The novel ends with a sense of hope, as Binx takes his first steps towards a more genuine and meaningful existence.