The Jesuit priesthood was, for 20 years, the author's focus in life - Being a priest gave McGirr security, self-worth and identity, but his primary motive for becoming a priest was to find an occupation that gave him a sense of identity and personal fulfilment. If it were not for his job, McGirr would have considered himself a nobody. After 20 years of service, McGirr leaves the priesthood and observes that when he stopped work as a priest he actually 'missed [his] title'. McGirr then concludes that he 'didn't know what to call [himself]' and that 'only other people can give you your name' - this makes it apparent that McGirr was seeking direction and purpose in his life and felt convinced he himself didn't know or understand his own identity. The author seemed convinced that he did not belong anywhere, thus setting out on a journey from Sydney to Melbourne to discover who he truly was.
Along with his physical journey along the Great South Road, McGirr is also seeking a soulmate with whom he can depend on emotionally. Being a Catholic priest for a major part of his life