Walker Percy
Early Life and Education
Walker Percy was born on May 28, 1916, in Birmingham, Alabama, into a prominent Southern family. His father, LeRoy Pratt Percy, was a lawyer, and his mother, Martha Susan Phinizy, came from a wealthy Georgia family. Tragically, Percy's father committed suicide when Walker was only 13, and his mother died in a car accident two years later. These events profoundly influenced his later work, which often explores themes of existential despair and the search for meaning.
Percy was subsequently raised by his uncle, William Alexander Percy, a poet and lawyer, in Greenville, Mississippi. This environment exposed him to a rich cultural and intellectual milieu, fostering his early interest in literature and philosophy. Percy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in chemistry. After graduating in 1937, he went on to study medicine at Columbia University in New York, earning his M.D. in 1941.
Medical Career and Illness
Percy's medical career was short-lived. While interning at Bellevue Hospital in New York, he contracted tuberculosis, which forced him to abandon his medical practice. During his convalescence at a sanatorium in upstate New York, Percy immersed himself in the works of European existentialists such as Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre, as well as the writings of Catholic theologians like Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine. This period of reflection and study marked a turning point in his life, leading him to convert to Catholicism in 1947 and to pursue a career in writing.
Literary Career
The Moviegoer
Percy's debut novel, The Moviegoer, was published in 1961 and won the National Book Award for Fiction. The novel is a seminal work in American literature, exploring the existential malaise of its protagonist, Binx Bolling, a stockbroker in New Orleans. Through Binx's quest for authenticity and meaning in a superficial world, Percy delves into themes of alienation and the search for self-identity. The novel's success established Percy as a major voice in contemporary fiction.
Subsequent Novels
Following The Moviegoer, Percy published several other novels, each characterized by his distinctive blend of philosophical inquiry and Southern Gothic style. The Last Gentleman (1966) and its sequel, The Second Coming (1980), continue to explore themes of existential uncertainty and redemption. Love in the Ruins (1971) and The Thanatos Syndrome (1987) are satirical novels that critique modern American society and its technological advancements.
Non-Fiction Works
In addition to his novels, Percy wrote several non-fiction works that further elucidate his philosophical and theological perspectives. The Message in the Bottle (1975) is a collection of essays on semiotics and language, reflecting his interest in how humans communicate and derive meaning. Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book (1983) is a satirical examination of the self-help genre, offering a humorous yet profound critique of contemporary culture's obsession with self-improvement.
Philosophical and Theological Influences
Percy's writing is deeply influenced by existentialism, a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility in the face of an absurd and indifferent universe. His Catholic faith also plays a crucial role in his work, providing a framework for exploring questions of morality, redemption, and the human condition. Percy's novels often depict characters grappling with spiritual crises, seeking solace in faith amidst existential despair.
Legacy and Impact
Walker Percy's contributions to literature and philosophy have left a lasting impact on both fields. His exploration of existential themes within the context of Southern culture offers a unique perspective on the human experience. Percy's work continues to resonate with readers and scholars, who find in his novels a profound meditation on the search for meaning in an increasingly fragmented world.