...having only learned to recognize merde when I see it, having inherited no more from my father than a good nose for merde, for every species of shit that flies--my only talent--smelling merde from every quarter, living in fact in the very century of merde, the great shithouse of scientific humanism where needs are satisfied, everyone becomes an anyone, a warm and creative person, and prospers like a dung beetle...
In Walker Percy's "The Moviegoer," the author explores the concept of recognizing the superficiality and insincerity of modern life, which he metaphorically refers to as "merde." The protagonist suggests that his inherited ability to detect this "merde" indicates a deeper understanding of the existential crises that ensnare individuals in a consumer-driven society. He senses that the culture is rife with artificiality, where authentic experiences and individuality are compromised in favor of conformity and comfort.
The metaphor of living in a "great shithouse of scientific humanism" illustrates a critique of a world where people seek fulfillment in shallow pursuits. The comparison to a dung beetle highlights the irony of thriving in such an environment, suggesting that while society may appear to prosper superficially, it ultimately feeds off the very waste it generates. This critique invites readers to reflect on the nature of true fulfillment and identity amid a landscape cluttered by false pretenses and fleeting pleasures.
