In "The Moviegoer," Walker Percy explores the self-deception that often plagues romantic individuals. The quote highlights a common theme of romanticism, where a person obsessively dreams of a perfect ideal but places it just out of their grasp. This notion suggests that the pursuit of such unattainable ideals can lead to continuous dissatisfaction and a sense of longing. Percy points out the irony in how this quest for love or happiness becomes a source of misery. Instead of finding fulfillment, the romantic individual becomes trapped in a cycle of desire, always reaching for something elusive. This observation invites readers to reflect on their own desires and the potential pitfalls of romanticizing unattainable aspirations.

In "The Moviegoer," Walker Percy explores the self-deception that often plagues romantic individuals. The quote highlights a common theme of romanticism, where a person obsessively dreams of a perfect ideal but places it just out of their grasp. This notion suggests that the pursuit of such unattainable ideals can lead to continuous dissatisfaction and a sense of longing.

Percy points out the irony in how this quest for love or happiness becomes a source of misery. Instead of finding fulfillment, the romantic individual becomes trapped in a cycle of desire, always reaching for something elusive. This observation invites readers to reflect on their own desires and the potential pitfalls of romanticizing unattainable aspirations.