John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, is a black comedy that follows the misadventures of the novel’s protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly. Ignatius works menial jobs in the French Quarter of New Orleans, but dreams of becoming a scholar and historian of Medieval times. He is, however, afraid to leave his mother's home, seeing her as a means to a stable, safe existence.
The novel follows Ignatius as he bounces from job to job, attempting to work at a hot dog stand, a movie theater, and a mastectomy bra shop. Along the way, he encounters a wide variety of characters, from his overly religious mother to Myrna Minkoff, the Jewish intellectual he harasses for not loving him back. Throughout the novel, Ignatius faces bigotry and is often comically mistaken for the role of police officer or other authority figure. He also uses bombastic and intelligently dismissive words to protect himself from change and the real world.
To accompany the various characters, John Kennedy Toole creates a vivid sense of place. The reader get a full sense of New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter, with its unique architectures, unique cuisine, and unique people. The novel captures the unstoppable energy of the city and its inhabitants. The music, the sights, and the tastes paint a unique portrait of the city and its many cultures. They also combat Ignatius' vision of a single, drab existence and hopefully open him up to the world of possibilities.
The novel encompasses themes of failed dreams, societal rebellion, and dejected ideals, but ultimately emphasizes the power of self-overcoming. Ignatius is a victim of his own anxieties, overwhelming apathy, and refusal to break away from his mother. However, as the novel progresses, he slowly begins to realize the power of movements outside his comfort zone and is ultimately saved from his own petulant behavior. Through many of the novel's escapades, Ignatius finally discovers his inner potential and learns to seize new opportunities.
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole serves as a masterful satire of society, but also carries a strong message of individual growth and change. The novel is a political and philosophical force, reflecting on the ways society can limit or distort a person's dreams and ambitions. Through Ignatius’ journey and its wonderfully written characters, the reader is catapulted into the mind and life of a man in rebellion against his own selfish tendencies and is left to walk away with a greater understanding of what it means to be a human in the real world.
Ultimately, A Confederacy of Dunces is a classic piece of literature that will continue to stand the test of time. In addition to its witty dialogue and wry humor, it is a novel that uses its eclectic cast of characters and its unique setting to reinforce a powerful message about the need for self-discovery and personal growth.
