The Moviegoer

I think Binx did not have inclination to "say much" about his search because it did not happen and more than likely would not happen for two reasons: lack of purposeful pursuit and Kate.



The lack of purposeful pursuit is due to Binx not having a clear understanding of what his actual intent was. In the beginning he referred to the search as "very simple, at least for a fellow like me; so simple that it is easily overlooked" and that it was a search "anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life", yet Binx describes his self as "a model tenant and a model citizen", which would definitely fit within the realm of everydayness. He had everyday habits of going to work, going to the newsstand and how he got around town by bus/trolley. He has usual habits like going to the movies, driving to the Gulf Coast and visiting his aunt. Based on the everdayness of his character as he described his life how could he know? Did he even recognize his on everydayness, was he sunk in it and if so did he know what to do about it? I don't think he ever had an answer for himself or even if he had inquired of himself enough to know how to start, where to start or when to start. With all that in mind Binx's search never went beyond being an ideal in his mind and he realized in the end that he could really give much relevance to the idea of his ideal.

Kate changed his life by allowing him to focus more on her and her needs and less on his "search." Binx allowed Kate to go awaywith him thinking he would be able to help her. Binx didn't have time to think about the search while he tried to understand what Kate needed and how best to handle those needs, at the same time Kate's often scattered thoughts and conversations left him wandering about himself in terms of whether or not he knew what direction they should go. He was confused by he ramblings on the train to Chicago and once in Chicago he was overwhelmed by sights, sounds and smells as well as dealing with unsettled emotions brought on by being back in Chicago after 25 years. While Binx was unsettled Kate took charge in Chicago and she took charge again after they returned to face the aunt. Binx no longer needed to "say much" about the search has he had acquired a new focus and purpose, Kate.