The Moviegoer Character Analysis

Binx Bolling (John “Jack” Bickerson Bolling)

Binx Bolling, the protagonist, is a New Orleans stocks and bonds broker who is approaching his 30th birthday. Many of his family and friends call Binx “Jack.” Binx is a Korean War veteran who survived… read analysis of Binx Bolling (John “Jack” Bickerson Bolling)

Aunt Emily Cutrer

Emily is Binx’s formidable, wealthy great-aunt, who is 65. After Binx’s father’s death, she oversaw Binx’s upbringing and education. In her youth, Emily was a rebel, entering social work and serving overseas with the… read analysis of Aunt Emily Cutrer

Kate Cutrer

Kate is Aunt Emily’s stepdaughter, Jules’s daughter, and Binx’s step-cousin. She is five years younger than Binx, making her about 25 in the story. She has been shy and sensitive since childhood… read analysis of Kate Cutrer

Uncle Jules Cutrer

Uncle Jules is married to Aunt Emily and is Kate’s father. He and Emily met when he was a widower and she was serving in Europe with the Red Cross. He is pleasant, wealthy… read analysis of Uncle Jules Cutrer

Anna Castagne Bolling Smith (Binx’s mother)

Anna is Binx’s mother. After Binx’s father died, she returned to work as a nurse. She then married Roy Smith and had six more children with him. Binx visits her at the family fishing… read analysis of Anna Castagne Bolling Smith (Binx’s mother)

Lonnie Smith

Lonnie is Binx’s 14-year-old brother, the eldest of his younger half-siblings and Binx’s favorite. Lonnie is disabled and uses a wheelchair; he and Binx get along well because Binx doesn’t pity Lonnie. A devout… read analysis of Lonnie Smith

Sharon Kincaid

Sharon is Binx’s current secretary, originally from rural Alabama. Binx quickly falls in love with her, as he does with all of his secretaries. She is a fast learner, competent in her work, and… read analysis of Sharon Kincaid

Mercer

Mercer is Aunt Emily’s Black butler. He has worked for the family since Binx’s grandfather’s days in Feliciana Parish. Since moving to New Orleans with Aunt Emily, Mercer has changed his speech to… read analysis of Mercer

Walter Wade

Walter Wade, an attorney and former Tulane football manager, is Kate’s second fiancé (the first being Lyell Lovell). He is originally from West Virginia and attended a New Hampshire prep school and then… read analysis of Walter Wade

Lyell Lovell

Lyell, Eddie Lovell’s brother, was killed in a car accident a few years ago. At the time, he was engaged to Kate Cutrer. Kate describes him as a good man, but she was… read analysis of Lyell Lovell

Mrs. Schexnaydre

Mrs. Schexnaydre, a widow, is Binx’s landlord. She sometimes lends Binx her copy of Reader’s Digest, and they sometimes watch TV or attend a movie together. Mrs. Schexnaydre has lived in New Orleans… read analysis of Mrs. Schexnaydre

Minor Characters

Eddie Lovell

Eddie Lovell is an acquaintance of Binx’s. Eddie is married to Nell, and his brother, Lyell, was killed in a car accident a few years ago. Eddie is a jovial, self-confident businessman.

Scott Bolling

Scott Bolling is Binx’s older brother, who died of pneumonia when Binx was 8 years old.

Linda

Linda is Binx’s former secretary, whom he dated for a while.

Marcia

Marcia is Binx’s former secretary, whom he dated for a while.

Vince Sartalamaccia

Vince is a real estate developer who purchases Binx’s inheritance, a parcel of swampland that used to be worthless but has surged in value.

Roy Smith

Roy Smith is Binx’s stepfather, Anna Castagne Bolling Smith’s husband, and the father of their six children. He is a car salesman who enjoys bayou fishing.

Harold Graebner

Harold Graebner was Binx’s old war buddy who lives in Chicago; Binx and Kate visit him during Binx’s Chicago conference. Binx credits Harold with saving his life in Korea. Harold is a simple, good-natured man who enjoys making money. He invites Binx to be his new baby’s godfather.

Nell Lovell

Nell is the wife of Binx’s friend Eddie Lovell. She is an energetic empty-nester who takes philosophy courses and renovates houses as a hobby. Binx finds her uncomfortable to talk to because she’s so earnest and animated.

Sam Yerger

Sam is an old Bolling family friend from Feliciana Parish. Sam is a cultured man and an acclaimed writer who occasionally passes through New Orleans on lecture tours. Kate likes and trusts him, but she turns him down when he proposes during one of her crises.

Dr. Merle Mink

Dr. Merle Mink is Kate’s doctor.

Harry Stern

Harry Stern is Binx’s college chemistry lab partner. Together they worked on a project involving kidney stones in pigs. Harry did most of the work because he was able to focus on the project at hand, while Binx would get distracted by his environment.

Duval Smith

Duval Smith is Lonnie’s younger brother (and Binx’s half-brother) who drowned the year before the book is set. After Duval’s death, Lonnie became the eldest of the Smith children.

Uncle Oscar Bolling

Uncle Oscar is Binx’s uncle. A country storekeeper, he isn’t as sophisticated and cultured as the other Bollings, and this especially shows in his awkward opinions and inappropriate humor.

Aunt Edna Bolling

Edna Bolling is Uncle Oscar’s wife and Binx’s aunt. She is sympathetic and emotional.

Joyce

Joyce is Sharon’s attractive roommate.

The Moviegoer

Walker Percy

The Moviegoer Characters