The Existential Quest:
Exploring Walker Percy’s Reimagining of the Literary Journey
Ambika K¹, Dr. D. Laura Dameris
Chellajothi²
ABSTRACT
The theme of Quest has always
been a fundamental pursuit in case of every protagonist’s life. As a
Postmodern Writer, Walker Percy, demystify the canonical tenets of
Quest, by introducing existential characters, who have to fight
their own conscience before they can identify their quest and take
that journey. This research paper explores the reimagining of the
classical quest theme in the novels The Moviegoer and Lancelot.
While the second novel is a direct allusion to the Arthurian Legend
and hence Quest is inevitable part of the narrative; the first book
is a figment of the Modern man’s life and the struggles he undergoes
in finding a purpose in life. This investigation underscores the
contribution of Percy in creating the Modern man, who grapples with
the reality of lives and complexities of existence in the post war
era.
Key Words: Postmodern narrative, Existentialism, Walker Percy,
Existential Angst, Quest, Reworking
