When taking a look back on social concepts of the 60s the words music, drugs and culture are often at the foreground of one’s thoughts. This was a diverse and booming era for many bringing upon the uprising of a new class. Although this truth is recognizable without looking past the surface, taking a deeper look at social aspects uncloaks the seemingly ever changing times then, proving them to be consistent with issues we recognize today. This is strongly displayed in the novel A Confederacy of Dunces written in the 60s by author John Kennedy Toole. In the novel, a middle aged man named Ignatius living at home with his mother goes on a quest of finding a job due to his mother’s nagging. Having obtained a master’s degree in college, he
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Throughout his many adventures he has more than one run in with the police, making enemies as well as friends and nearly gets himself sent to a mental hospital. Despite all the crazed comedy found throughout this novel there is much to said about the theme of life presenting itself in cycles of good and bad fortune. In the novel A Confederacy of Dunces written by John Kennedy Toole, this theme is relevant in today’s society in terms of employment, issues within relationships and the infinite struggle to fit in.
Most importantly in our society today, as well as the driving force behind the plot of the story, is the subject of employment. While most characters of the novel are either in need of a job or struggling to hold onto one, Ignatius constantly opposes the idea of employment. When his mother demands that “[she] has made up [her] mind. [Ignatius] is gonna go out and get a job” (Toole 19), Ignatius questions “what low joke Fortuna was playing on him now” (19) and whether or not this dreadful cycle would ever …show more content…
At one point in the novel when Ignatius is forced to take the job of being a hotdog vendor and is being given the run down by his soon to be boss. His boss feels that “Hot dog vendors and gas station attendants always get it. Holdups, muggings. Nobody respects a hot dog vendor” (cite). Although he says this somewhat casually, it is clear that not being respected by anyone is something that gets under his skin. Earlier on in the novel, before Ignatius begins his search for a job, he uses this feeling of not fitting in as a way to persuade his mother to leave him be about the issue. He believes that no one will hire him due to the fact that “they can see that [he] is forced to function in a century [he] [loathes]” (137), making him incapable of fitting in. Ignatius is not comfortable with seeking employment as he feels as though he will be judge by his employer. A recent article written on this topic reinforces Ignatius’ feeling of being uncomfortable when others do not accept him due to the idea “that the people with whom [you] live give [you] a feeling of self-respect, a feeling that [you] [are] worthwhile” (Courage to Accept Acceptance). People of today need the same reassurance and acceptance as the character of Ignatius did so many years ago. It is primarily Ignatius whose bad fortune keeps him held hostage in his home
Throughout his many adventures he has more than one run in with the police, making enemies as well as friends and nearly gets himself sent to a mental hospital. Despite all the crazed comedy found throughout this novel there is much to said about the theme of life presenting itself in cycles of good and bad fortune. In the novel A Confederacy of Dunces written by John Kennedy Toole, this theme is relevant in today’s society in terms of employment, issues within relationships and the infinite struggle to fit in.
Most importantly in our society today, as well as the driving force behind the plot of the story, is the subject of employment. While most characters of the novel are either in need of a job or struggling to hold onto one, Ignatius constantly opposes the idea of employment. When his mother demands that “[she] has made up [her] mind. [Ignatius] is gonna go out and get a job” (Toole 19), Ignatius questions “what low joke Fortuna was playing on him now” (19) and whether or not this dreadful cycle would ever …show more content…
At one point in the novel when Ignatius is forced to take the job of being a hotdog vendor and is being given the run down by his soon to be boss. His boss feels that “Hot dog vendors and gas station attendants always get it. Holdups, muggings. Nobody respects a hot dog vendor” (cite). Although he says this somewhat casually, it is clear that not being respected by anyone is something that gets under his skin. Earlier on in the novel, before Ignatius begins his search for a job, he uses this feeling of not fitting in as a way to persuade his mother to leave him be about the issue. He believes that no one will hire him due to the fact that “they can see that [he] is forced to function in a century [he] [loathes]” (137), making him incapable of fitting in. Ignatius is not comfortable with seeking employment as he feels as though he will be judge by his employer. A recent article written on this topic reinforces Ignatius’ feeling of being uncomfortable when others do not accept him due to the idea “that the people with whom [you] live give [you] a feeling of self-respect, a feeling that [you] [are] worthwhile” (Courage to Accept Acceptance). People of today need the same reassurance and acceptance as the character of Ignatius did so many years ago. It is primarily Ignatius whose bad fortune keeps him held hostage in his home