John Kennedy Toole's Pulitzer Award winning novel A Confederacy of Dunces takes place in New Orleans during the early 1960s. The novel follows Ignatius J. Reilly, a rather bulbous man, as he searches for a job to help support his mother. His quest for a job is marked by constant episodes of hilarity as his rotten personality thwarts even his best attempts to find employment. Throughout the novel he often displays his gluttonous and conceited personality.
One of the things in the novel that is glaringly apparent is Ignatius's seemingly endless appetite. On many occasions Ignatius is seen eating more than his fill of food. One of the things in the novel that is glaringly apparent is Ignatius's seemingly endless appetite. On many occasions Ignatius …show more content…
Shortly after gaining his job at Levy Pants, Ignatius begins – or rather doesn't begin – to do the filing. Instead, he decides to build a sign, "He had neglected the morning filing to make the sign … " (101). Ignatius thinks of filing and his job as beneath him, even going as far as dumping entire sections of filing into the garbage (an action that later has repercussions). Ignatius puts his needs and wants far above that of others. Ignatius repeatedly ignore responsibility to others and his work to do whatever he sees fit at that time. After being fired from the aforementioned job, Ignatius is out on the hunt for a new job. He stumbles upon Paradise vendors and in true Ignatian fashion begins to establish his superiority over Mr. Clyde as their conversation begins. "Do I hear a strain of Scarlatti?" Ignatius inquires (173). He continues the conversation by berating Mr. Clyde and the rest of society with his commentary on Turkey and the Straw. Although there are a few exceptions, Ignatius believes that everyone else is an idiot and he is far superior in almost every way. This is a trend that can be clearly picked up throughout the novel. Ignatius is quick to point out flaws in other's outlooks on life. Whether it is in front of the television or in a movie theater Ignatius can be found yelling
One of the things in the novel that is glaringly apparent is Ignatius's seemingly endless appetite. On many occasions Ignatius is seen eating more than his fill of food. One of the things in the novel that is glaringly apparent is Ignatius's seemingly endless appetite. On many occasions Ignatius …show more content…
Shortly after gaining his job at Levy Pants, Ignatius begins – or rather doesn't begin – to do the filing. Instead, he decides to build a sign, "He had neglected the morning filing to make the sign … " (101). Ignatius thinks of filing and his job as beneath him, even going as far as dumping entire sections of filing into the garbage (an action that later has repercussions). Ignatius puts his needs and wants far above that of others. Ignatius repeatedly ignore responsibility to others and his work to do whatever he sees fit at that time. After being fired from the aforementioned job, Ignatius is out on the hunt for a new job. He stumbles upon Paradise vendors and in true Ignatian fashion begins to establish his superiority over Mr. Clyde as their conversation begins. "Do I hear a strain of Scarlatti?" Ignatius inquires (173). He continues the conversation by berating Mr. Clyde and the rest of society with his commentary on Turkey and the Straw. Although there are a few exceptions, Ignatius believes that everyone else is an idiot and he is far superior in almost every way. This is a trend that can be clearly picked up throughout the novel. Ignatius is quick to point out flaws in other's outlooks on life. Whether it is in front of the television or in a movie theater Ignatius can be found yelling