The Loss of an Idea
Walker Percy introduces the idea of individualism in his essay “The Loss of a Creature” by challenging the reader to question authority and find beauty in an object without having a preconceived idea about it. Percy contends that it is almost impossible, to see an object for what it is because of what has been formed in the sightseers mind. The author’s purpose of this essay is to expose the reader to new ideas about thinking for one’s self, and disregarding all preconceived thoughts to form impressionable ideas.
Percy starts the essay by defining the sense of ownership and beauty when a person finds ownership of something. The author goes onto say “every explorer names his island Formosa, beautiful. To him it is beautiful …show more content…
In the last paragraph, Percy inserts the quote by Mounier to explain the point as to why he wrote the essay. He quotes “As Mounier said, the person is not something one can study and provide for; unless he is something one struggles for. But unless he also struggle for himself, unless he knows that there is a struggle, he is going to be just what the planners think he is” (Percy 9). A person must make something out of himself to prove society wrong. If the status quo for a woman is to stay at home, and raise children; however, this quote says, “Get outside and make a name for oneself!” Percy challenges the reader to go against the norm, step out of one’s comfort zone and express his or her own …show more content…
This quote challenges the reader to go out and break barriers. Percy states that the “loss” is when the consumer (humans) “accepts the role [as consumer] as the highest role they can be (Percy 6). This situation is appalling because as consumers of the world we are encouraged to think inside the box, instead of exploring our own creativity. Percy mentions the “planners” or authority/society that dictates what consumers should act in public, what they should wear, and most important; how to think. The planners have a set idea that they suits the consumers to have, however, it is time for consumers to stop the deprivation of expressing their ideas. Although the author regards free thinking he acknowledges that the role of the consumer is to experience a “recreational experience”; an experience that is preconceived. For example, there is a Grand Canyon postcard with beautiful lighting, the right shades of day light etc. and that is the first thing the consumer thinks about when imagining the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, the consumer is able to take a trip to the Canyon and all they can think about is the postcard. The postcard is an example of a predetermined mind set for the consumers to take in. In order to break the cycle of “theory and consumption”, one must recover the true
Walker Percy introduces the idea of individualism in his essay “The Loss of a Creature” by challenging the reader to question authority and find beauty in an object without having a preconceived idea about it. Percy contends that it is almost impossible, to see an object for what it is because of what has been formed in the sightseers mind. The author’s purpose of this essay is to expose the reader to new ideas about thinking for one’s self, and disregarding all preconceived thoughts to form impressionable ideas.
Percy starts the essay by defining the sense of ownership and beauty when a person finds ownership of something. The author goes onto say “every explorer names his island Formosa, beautiful. To him it is beautiful …show more content…
In the last paragraph, Percy inserts the quote by Mounier to explain the point as to why he wrote the essay. He quotes “As Mounier said, the person is not something one can study and provide for; unless he is something one struggles for. But unless he also struggle for himself, unless he knows that there is a struggle, he is going to be just what the planners think he is” (Percy 9). A person must make something out of himself to prove society wrong. If the status quo for a woman is to stay at home, and raise children; however, this quote says, “Get outside and make a name for oneself!” Percy challenges the reader to go against the norm, step out of one’s comfort zone and express his or her own …show more content…
This quote challenges the reader to go out and break barriers. Percy states that the “loss” is when the consumer (humans) “accepts the role [as consumer] as the highest role they can be (Percy 6). This situation is appalling because as consumers of the world we are encouraged to think inside the box, instead of exploring our own creativity. Percy mentions the “planners” or authority/society that dictates what consumers should act in public, what they should wear, and most important; how to think. The planners have a set idea that they suits the consumers to have, however, it is time for consumers to stop the deprivation of expressing their ideas. Although the author regards free thinking he acknowledges that the role of the consumer is to experience a “recreational experience”; an experience that is preconceived. For example, there is a Grand Canyon postcard with beautiful lighting, the right shades of day light etc. and that is the first thing the consumer thinks about when imagining the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, the consumer is able to take a trip to the Canyon and all they can think about is the postcard. The postcard is an example of a predetermined mind set for the consumers to take in. In order to break the cycle of “theory and consumption”, one must recover the true