Similarities between Binx and Nick

Binx Bolling and Nick Adams are similar characters in multiple ways. Of course one can say that they share a common quest for self-actualization or self-recognition, but then again who is not looking to find who they "really" are. Both men go through life trying different things and experiencing life in multiple facets; from boyhood, to fighting wars(Nick has a bad experience in WWII,Binx serves in the Korean War but comes out less fazed) , and finally adulthood/living and contributing to society. Ultimately, I think both men fail to "find" themselves completely, or make sense out of life in general. However, both men use defense mechanisms that not only distract their attention from their own lives, but also enable the men to relate and reminisque their life storys. For Binx, this comes in the form of a modest movie theater. For Nick, this manifests itself when he is fishing on the water. Both men also share similar views on love. In the MovieGoer, Binx states that when nothing is said and there are long pauses of silence between sentences that the relationship is over. Nick ends his relationship with Marjorie in a similar way after an unusually quiet day of fishing. Normalcy, something both Binx and Nick fight for and against is a common theme in both stories. In the MovieGoer, Percy uses symbols such as the different secretaries that Binx has over time at his branch of his uncle's brokerage firm. All the secretaries have affairs with Binx, and he states all have names that are very common such as Linda, Sharon, and Marcia adding to the normalcy, or commonality theme that is employed by the author.