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Post by jarelyrebollar on Jun 28, 2024 14:30:42 GMT
"What is the nature of the search? you ask. Really it is very simple, at least for a fellow like me; so simple that it is easily overlooked. The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life. This morning, for example, I felt as if I had come to myself on a strange island. And what does such a castaway do? Why, he pokes around the neighborhood and he doesn't miss a trick. To become aware of the possibility of the search is to be onto something. Not to be onto something is to be in despair."
- Walker Percy, The Moviegoer
This quote highlights existential themes such as the search for meaning, alienation, and everydayness. It portrays the existential quest as a fundamental, yet often overlooked, aspect of life that becomes apparent when one steps out of mundane routines. Binx Bolling's awakening to this search reflects the idea of becoming conscious of one's existence and the potential for deeper meaning. It emphasizes that ignoring this quest leads to despair, while engaging in it offers hope and authenticity, stressing the importance of personal responsibility and the freedom to create one’s meaning.
I wonder how others also interpret this quote and the "search".
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Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jun 28, 2024 15:21:26 GMT
Glad you touched on this, Jarely--- it's a central motif of the novel, the idea that Binx is just forever "searching," even if he doesn't know what he's looking for. Crucially, it seems as if he does so in order to ward off "despair," as you mention.
The question that I arrive at is how long one can keep searching? And especially how long can one keep searching when they don't have any object as the natural end-point of that search? How would you know when you found what you were looking for?
It's also interesting that the search is posited as set against "the everydayness of [one's] own life..." I suppose if we're wrapped up in the mundanity of humdrum existence, we're no longer looking/ searching? But can one always be looking/ searching? Seems like a Sisyphean task...
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Post by reluedders on Jun 29, 2024 2:07:10 GMT
I actually wrote about this in my weekly response, the idea of an eternal search. I think in order to be "searching," you need to have an end-point to that search. However, I wonder if we can be searching, but not knowing that we are searching. Does just the simple act of us going through our day imply that we are searching for something, or coming to some sort of end? So, ultimately, the search ends at death, even if we don't think we're actively looking for something to fill our existence with at any given moment, but instead just "being."
I'm not sure if I'm making sense.
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Post by jarelyrebollar on Jul 1, 2024 14:10:03 GMT
I agree that Binx's perpetual search is a central motif in "The Moviegoer." His search seems to be a defense mechanism against despair, as you mentioned. The question of how long one can keep searching without a clear end goal is fascinating. It reminds me of the existentialist idea that the journey or the act of searching might be more significant than the destination. Binx's search, in a way, becomes his raison d'être. Engaging in the mundane aspects of existence can distract or prevent one from actively searching. Despite the mundane, perhaps searching can coexist with moments of clarity and purpose. The Sisyphean nature of this task might reflect the human condition, where meaning is continually sought, even if it remains elusive.
The notion of an eternal search is intriguing. The idea that we need an end-point to truly search resonates with traditional quests for meaning. However, if we consider search as intrinsic to our existence, every action, consciously or unconsciously, could be part of this search. This aligns with the existentialist view that life is an ongoing project, where meaning is continuously constructed and reconstructed. Even if we aren't aware of it, our search ultimately ends at death. It raises an interesting point about whether the search is a conscious effort or an inherent part of simply being. In this sense, "just being" could be viewed as an unconscious search for meaning, where every moment contributes to the broader tapestry of our existence.
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