The Moviegoer: An Analysis of the Search

In the epilogue of The Moviegoer, Binx concludes to the reader that he does not have much to say on the topic of his “search”.

The search for meaning was an important part of the novel. Throughout it, he consistently tries to escape falling into a trap of malaise.To abandon the search means that something has changed within him.

However, what has changed? Did he fail to find meaning in his life? Was he successful in his endeavors?

To answer this, we must dive into the subject of existentialism noted by Kierkegaard.

In terms of progress through the existential stages, Binx was in the aesthetic stage for most of the text.

This stage is highlighted by the manipulation of those around him in order to seek interesting conclusions in his own mind. This is seen in the way that Binx treats those that he converses with throughout the novel. It is shown more abundantly in the way he treats Sharon. In the beginning, he acts simply like an employer should act around his secretary. However, in the inner workings of his own mind, he is engineering the possibility of seducing her and how to manipulate her into falling for him. This only for him to get bored of her, indulging in other possibilities. This can be seen when he states,

If only I could send Sharon on her way and go straight upstairs and see Joyce, a total stranger? Yes. But not quite. If only I could be with both of them, with a house full of them… (123)

Showing that he cares more about the possibility for seduction rather than the actual act of it. Furthermore, once Binx fully has what he wants, he eventually does away with it due to his need to avoid commitment and responsibility.

He would rather live in a fantasy than deal with actual affairs, which is why he enjoys going to see movies. He sees them as more real than his actual life.

Later on, we see Binx reach a new height of development. He approaches the ethical stage.

It is important to note that Binx does show promise in these aspects in the beginning of the novel with how he regards his aunt. He listens to her, knowing that it is expected of him to help his step-cousin, Kate, out of her manic depression.

This is short-lived due to the fact that Binx concerns himself with his own search rather than helping Kate.

Despite that, he later approaches this stage again due to Kate’s suicide attempt. He discovers that he does, in fact, love her. This love is not a fleeting sort, like the secretaries of his past. He chooses to marry her, even going as far as to promise to stand by her side and reassure her that he loves her when Kate reveals that,

I am frightened when I am alone and I am frightened when I am with people. The only time I am not frightened is when I’m with you. You’ll have to be with me a great deal. (234)

He fulfills his promise, as seen in the epilogue. He treats her with love, having no ulterior motives that we had seen previously during his aesthetic stage of development.

The third stage of existentialism as cited by Kierkegaard is finding religion.

First, a quick examination of the day he decided to refocus his life by marrying Kate.

He makes a major change in his life on Ash Wednesday, which is shown when Binx sees a man step out of church with ash on his forehead. This marks this as the day that Binx decided what he will do for the rest of his life, foreshadowing that he will come to accept religion.

Further evidence suggests that he has found religion with how he relates to his family. This is in reference to Binx stating that,

As for my search, I have not the inclination to say much on the subject. For one thing, I have not the authority, as the great Danish philosopher declared, to speak of such matters in any way other than the edifying. For another thing, it is not open to me even to be edifying, since the time is later than his, much too late to edify or do much of anything except plant a foot in the right place as opportunity presents itself – if indeed asskicking is properly distinguished from edification. Further: I am a member of my mother’s family after all and so naturally shy away from the subject of religion (a peculiar word this is in the first place, religion; it is something to be suspicious of). (237)

This statement strongly suggests that he has accepted religion. He is a member of his mother’s family, who are practicing Catholics. He may be “shying away” from the subject, but that does not mean he has not come to accept religion. Rather, he is stating that he is similar to his family in the way that they worship.

He has found the solution to his existence to be outside of himself.

By rejecting his self-imposed loneliness, accepting love from those who care about him, and serving others, Binx finds meaning in the everyday.

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End note:

Percy, Walker. The Moviegoer. Random House, Inc., 1961. p. 123, 234, 237.