For the duration of the novel, Binx claims he is on a search for something. There is never a direct answer as to what his search might be, but it appears to be the ultimate search, the search for meaning in everyday life. Binx is asking the age old question of, “Why are we here and what is our purpose?” This question has been raised by many throughout the history of the world. Binx feels isolated in the world, like there is no real place for him. By the time we get to the epilogue, Binx says, “As for my search, I have not the inclination to say.” This leaves us as readers to ponder over whether his search is over or if his search is continuous.
Binx, as a character, changes through the course of the novel. By the end of the novel, he no longer has the same (almost sarcastic) tone that he had in the beginning. Binx is nothing else than what I call a “watcher.” He is one of those people who does not know how to create a real space for himself among the rest of the people. For Binx, everydayness is his ultimate goal, but his ultimate fear and torture. He continually speaks openly about the everydayness of others and how he does not want to fall into that, yet, is it not everydayness that he himself seeks?
Being a “watcher” is one of the worst places a person can be in. With no real way of pushing oneself into any real situation, the “watcher” keeps on watching. Being a “watcher” means that no matter how hard you try to push yourself to fit into any situation, there is nothing you can do besides sit on the sidelines and watch as others pass you by in life. Being a “watcher” is never any fun after the first little while. In the beginning, you feel as though you are onto something, like you are that much closer to the greater meaning if you could just understand why the surrounding people act the way they do. Instead, this idea of watching to understand really does not work out that well. There is no happiness in being a mere spectator on life, trying to figure out the greater meaning behind everything. True happiness comes from being a part of life; trying to constantly question it is depressing when you find that the meaning you were looking for is completely and forever unreachable.
Binx appears to have proclaimed a short end to his search almost in the epilogue, but we all know it is a never ending cycle for him. He cannot just quit looking for his greater meaning, because that is what he is, a “watcher” and an analyzer. He analyzes everyone around him, although he claims he is not very good at research or analyzing anything. This constant obsession of watching others to find meaning in them is a way to find meaning in himself. He is unable to function in normal situations like normal people, so he watches them, trying to understand how they do it. His cycle of being a “watcher” is never over. His search for true, meaningful happiness will never be complete until he can let go of being the “watcher” and actually live.
I agree that Binx is what you like to call a “watcher.” I believe that at the beginning of the novel it is plainly obvious that he is part of this world, but not of it. Meaning that he lives in same plane of existence that we all do, but he never really takes part in life. He seems to be stuck in the way of life that he has created for himself and for the most part seems to be content with that. The exception of course being that he feels the need to start a search. However, is it not possible that throughout the story he grows somewhat? To me it seems like he is starting to take part in life, even if it is only for brief moments at a time. If he was not at least trying to participate in life, then why did he he go into such detail with his time with Sharon. Why did his aunt’s opinion of him matter so much? Why did he feel the need to take care of Kate? Obviously these last two didn’t seem to bring anything in it for him. So would it be safe to say that he at least cares about these two women? And if he does care, then wouldn’t that show that he is at least partially of this world? I guess my idea of a true “watcher” is someone that can sit by in life and nobody’s opinion really matters to them. They do what they must to just get through life.
ReplyDeleteHow very true that the sarcasm in Binx is removed by the end of the novel- a symptom of his maturity and betterment perhaps.
ReplyDeleteYour description of a “watcher” is very in tune with Binx, and it is indeed an intriguing observation about some people. You describe Binx as turning to others, judging them for meaning that he can use in his own life. Perhaps Binx himself is for some reason lacking. Perhaps he feels an emptiness inside and has little to pull from to help him in his search, so he turns to judge and analyze others as you point out. And I agree with a previous comment: Binx, in the end, starts to take part in life a bit. My idea of a watcher would be someone detached from others, an island even unto themselves, who remains throughout their life completely disinterested in living.
Watcher is a great word to describe him. He does seem to sit on the sidelines and watch life go by. Every once in a while he jumps in, like with the women he “uses”, but then he seem to toss them away when it gets to be too much. This would also describe why he likes watching the movies. He can watch, but doesn’t have to be involved and that is the whole idea of a movie, to watch. Typically you derive some emotion from doing so. He mentions many of the old time actors, but he doesn’t really go into the details of a movies, except that they are “onto the search, but they screw it up. The search always ends in despair.” Whenever a movie depicts any “everydayness” it irritates him. What we may call a happy ending of someone taking “up with the local librarian, sets about proving to the local children what a nice fellow he is, and settles down with a vengeance.” Soon the “everydayness” sets in and to him this is unbearable.
ReplyDeleteI like your phrasing of “There is no happiness in being a mere spectator on life, trying to figure out the greater meaning behind everything.” I think when Binx finally gets to the end, marries Kate, goes to school and rectifies the situation with his aunt, he is finally no longer watching, but making a step toward being a participant in life.
I have stated a similar answer to whether or not Binx’s search is over or not. Much like you, I came to the conclusion that he search is on-going; never-ending. Throughout life we encounter points to where we ask ourselves “why?”, but more importantly the five W’s. To go on a limb here, changing and becoming a better person, or a clearer understanding of life, are endpoints in searches. Like taking steps in a plan, these endpoints close chapters in your life and begin anew. His fear of “everydayness” and the goal to escape it was the current endpoint with success in mind. However, endpoints are completed whether or not you succeed. Binx has failed at this endpoint and came to terms with it allowing him to move forward and work on the next endpoint.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is bliss as they say. Giving and accepting defeat is also a factor some refuse to acknowledge. Binx was beginning to see that after he came back from Chicago with Kate. He slowly, but surely, he indulged himself in the “everydayness” despite his beaten pride. But, old habits die hard. Your claim that he is a watcher is most importantly accurate. Since he fought against the current of life he never had a coherent understanding. Therefore, your depiction of him watching life to understand and to learn rings true since he sought the answers from movies. However, Binx never got a satisfactory answer. The answers he wanted lie in everyday life and not the glamour of the silver screen.