In Walker Percy’s book "Lancelot," the protagonist expresses a deep frustration with the contemporary world and its values. He feels a strong disconnection from the modern age, criticizing institutions like the Catholic Church for their failure to uphold their original principles. He suggests that the Church has compromised its integrity and adopted the flaws of the society around it, leaving him feeling out of place.

The protagonist yearns for a time when faith and belief were clearer and more fervent. He romanticizes historical figures and eras marked by conflict, suggesting that these times held a stronger sense of purpose and conviction. He contrasts the current era's notion of love with the idea of war, implying that he prefers the intensity of battle to the hollow sentiments often promoted today, revealing a deep longing for authenticity and sincerity in belief and action.