The theme of travel, set in a character's journey of self-discovery is vital in Anne Tyler's novel, "The Accidental Tourist." By analyzing Macon Leary, the main character, his strange quirks, accidental encounters and progression of change through motifs and symbols, aides the reader in understanding his views of travel and change. In her novel, The Accidental Tourist, Anne Tyler uses various motifs and symbols to show Macon's gradual transition from darkness to light, or from blindness to sight. .
Tyler's use of symbolism helps the reader to understand Macon's withdrawal from society and lack of awareness of the world around him. Witness, Macon's house as a tomb-hosting the shell of a person he currently is. Macon says, "the windows shrank. There was something insistent, as if it were pressing in on him" (pg. 8). The house, his refuge away from the world, in reality is a prison. Macon finds solace in the organization of his household and systematic ways. The systems aid Macon in coping with his failing marriage with Sarah Leary. Furthermore, Tyler's symbol of a 'Macon Body Bag', implies that he views his body bag, symbolising death, as an invention and a creation to take pride in; whereas, is a symbol of a system encouraging his socially recluse personality, hindering any possibility of growth or change (pg. 11). Secondly, Tyler's use of the cast and incident motif introduces a glance at the stagnant psyche of Macon Leary. Reflecting on the incident, Macon, "almost wondered whether by some devious subconscious means, he had engineered this injuryjust so he could settle down safe among the people he'd started out with" (63). It is obvious that Macon likes his cast, finding a reprieve away from society, and later, he wishes he is fully encased and cocooned away from life. He resists change in trying to remain the same, and at the opportunity of the accident rendering him partially immobile, he retreats to the Leary household; there, Macon is safe from intrusion, he is comfortable and most importantly, everything is predictable.