Lancelot (novel)
(publ. Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Lancelot is a 1977 novel by the American author Walker Percy. It tells the story of the dejected lawyer Lancelot Lamar, who murders his wife after discovering that he is not the father of her youngest daughter. He ends up in a mental institution, where his story is told through his reflections on his disturbing past. The novel compares the protagonist unfavorably to his namesake, Sir Lancelot, as he experiences a vision of an empty modern American culture which invokes the symbolism of the mythical Wasteland.[1] Lamar's quest to expose this moral emptiness is a transposition of the quest for the Holy Grail; as he witnesses and records the increasing moral depravity of his wife and daughter during the filming of a Hollywood movie, he becomes obsessed with and corrupted by the immorality he seeks to condemn.[1] The novel is replete with Arthurian references, including characters based on Merlin and Percival.[1] The point of view of Lancelot is first person. It is dramatic monologue. Through this monologue, the reader learns Lancelot Lamar’s view of the world. He makes accusations, but also questions his own accusations. He sees that there is a problem with modern American culture. Lancelot seeks to create a New Order based on his own code of honor. This code of honor includes the preferred actions and roles woman and an avoidance of self-knowledge.[2] Lancelot sees himself as a leader among other male leaders in his New Order. Other citizens will be followers. He will be part of an elite group that has knowledge of the world like himself.[3] Lancelot’s monologue also serves to develop themes such as the importance of innocence in sexual identity and the issues concerning human sexuality. These are seen in his commentary of when he sees Lucy, his daughter engage in sexual activity with the two actors, Troy Dana and Riane. It is also seen in observation of his wife, Margot’s infidelity. His values are also seen in his comparisons of his first wife, Lucy, to his second wife, Margot. Lancelot also values innocence in the rape victim, Anna, who resides in the room next to his in the mental institution.[3]