In "The Moviegoer" by Walker Percy, the notion of hobbies is critically examined, particularly how they can impact one's emotional state. While engaging in stimulating activities may provide a sense of distraction, they can also lead to a false sense of tranquility. This can create a deceptive layer over deeper feelings of despair that individuals may struggle with, causing them to avoid confronting their true emotions.

Thus, the quote draws attention to the dichotomy between active engagement in hobbies and the underlying despair that might exist. It suggests that people who seek solace in enjoyable pastimes might be masking significant personal issues rather than addressing them. This highlights a deeper existential crisis where surface-level happiness can obscure profound inner turmoil.