The Moviegoer recounts the story of Binx Bolling, an aliented, anxious young stockbroker, who seeks meaning for his existence by embarking upon a "quest." During a firefight in the Korean War, Binx was wounded. He said that, as he lay upon the battlefield, he saw, as if for the first time, a dung beetle. Because he actually saw this insect, it became "present" to him, he explains, more so than any other aspect of his environment, and he felt truly alive for that instant of his life. The incident marked his search for a meaningful existence in which the world, in all its fullness, is present to him and he is likewise present to it.
Percy refers explicitly to the philosopher Kierkegaard during the book, and the book's themes show the strong influence of Kierkegaard's writings, particularly with regards to the theme of "repetition."
External link
Kierkegaard's Narrative (http://ceh.kitoba.com/hook/kierkegaard.html): The Moviegoer
The Moviegoer recounts the story of Binx Bolling, an alienated, anxious young stockbroker, who seeks meaning for his existence by embarking upon a "quest." During a firefight in the Korean War, Binx was wounded.
He said that, as he lay upon the battlefield, he saw, as if for the first time, a dung beetle.
Moviegoers already inclined to do what they want wouldn't allow authoritative voices to interfere.
(Although moviegoers can be older, more set in their ways and therefore tougher to influence.) Movies aren't as important as life, but the same goal of enhancing it applies.
Something similar happens when moviegoers say they should have stayed away from what knew to be a waste of time and money.
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