In "The Moviegoer," Walker Percy expresses a haunting sentiment about how the past resurfaces during the night. The quote illustrates how memories and experiences, much like ghosts, linger and hover around us, reminding us of what has been lost or forgotten over time. This imagery captures the feeling of nostalgia and the weight of history that can be felt at night, a time often associated with reflection and introspection.
Percy's writing delves into the complexities of existence, where the protagonist grapples with his identity and place in the world. The presence of these "ghosts" symbolizes unresolved feelings and memories that impact our current state of mind, suggesting that we cannot easily escape our past. Instead, it shapes who we are and the way we perceive life, especially in moments of solitude and quiet contemplation.