Analysis of Walker Percy's 'Loss of the Creature' and its Implications

This report provides an analysis of Walker Percy's essay, 'Loss of the Creature,' focusing on his concept of the 'preformed symbolic complex.' Percy uses the Grand Canyon as an example to illustrate how preconceived notions can affect our experience of a place. The report discusses the contradiction in Percy's argument, where he suggests both removing 'beaten tracks' and the potential challenges this poses. It explores the role of the 'preformed symbolic complex' in shaping tourist experiences and suggests the importance of finding an 'optimum path' that allows individuals to draw their own conclusions. The report also includes the provided bibliography.

Restatement for checking the validity of “Loss of the Creature”
Author “Walker Percy” raised the questions related to the “preformed symbolic complex.” This
preformed symbolic complex refers to the overexposure of any phenomenon or tourist
destination in the perception of an onlooker, in order to substantiate his thesis he presented the
example of Grand Canyon as an attraction for the tourists.
On a conceptual level, it seems self-contradictory, when he raises a question about the interest
levels generated by the destination, he claims that “preformed symbolic complex” makes it
complex for the tourists and even the local individuals involved with the destination, according
to him complexity makes it a boring destination to enjoy (Percy 1). However, in the next
paragraph, he suggests that “beaten tracks” should be removed from the destination and to
increase the difficulty levels.
In practical terms removal of the beaten tracks from the experience can make it an alien
experience and it can disappoint certain individuals. Apart from it, this exclusion can also create
some barriers in the field of the marketing of the destination as well (Percy 8) .
“Preformed symbolic complex” may have its own fruit in the act of pursuing a person for a
certain task or a “touristic experience.” The path suggested by “Walker Percy” in this case gives
us an extreme solution. However, it is important to follow an “optimum path” while handling
this complex, which is not a complex in many ways, it is a bridge to attract a person towards
something new and leave him free to draw his own share of conclusions and experiences.

Bibliography
Percy, Walker. "Loss of Creatures"." (n.d.): https://boblyman.net/engwr302/handouts/Loss%20of
%20the%20Creature.pdf.