The Character Of Ignatius J. Reilly In A Confederacy Of Dunces

Set in New Orleans in the early 1960s, John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces follows the life and adventures of Ignatius J. Reilly as he attempts to understand and reform societal norms. After unintentionally causing trouble with the authorities, Ignatius finds himself in search of stable employment, which leads to amusing interactions and conversations with various members of society. Ignatius J. Reilly struggles to function in modern civilization because he is an old-fashioned, gluttonous, rude man.
Ignatius first exhibits his outdated mindset when he tells a policeman that he is “at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century” (Toole 6). Ignatius believes that the twentieth century has been full of nothing but

debauchery and immorality, and he believes that he needs to reform society, reverting to medieval culture. Ignatius’s political views also provide a perfect example of his old-fashioned opinions. When Mr. Clyde questions Ignatius’s political views and speculates that Ignatius may be a communist, Ignatius is taken aback, exclaiming, “What I want is a good, strong monarchy with a tasteful and decent king who has some knowledge of theology and geometry and to cultivate Rich Inner Life” ( 213). Not many people desire the rule of a monarchy, and progressives have disapproved of monarchies for centuries because they are generally classist and unfair; nevertheless, Ignatius longs for a monarchy because he is mentally stuck in the Medieval Era.
Ignatius’s gluttony appears as a serious flaw throughout the novel.

Early in the novel, Ignatius watches a movie at the Prytania Theatre. Consuming one bag of popcorn is generally expected at a movie theatre; however, Ignatius is described as having “three Milky Ways, and two auxiliary bags of popcorn, the bags neatly rolled at the top to keep the popcorn warm and crisp. Ignatius ate his current popcorn and stared raptly at the previews of coming attractions” (55). Any doctor would agree that eating three bags of popcorn single-handedly is excessive and extremely unhealthy. During his employment at Paradise Vending Inc., Ignatius fails to help turn a profit because he foolishly indulges himself in a complimentary hot dog, and “when he had finished the first hot dog, Ignatius prepared and consumed another…Fifteen minutes later, noticing that the supply of hot dogs in the little well was visibly diminishing, he decided in favor of abstinence” (160). Ignatius’s habitual overeating causes serious problems in his life, such as his obesity and failure as a hot dog

vendor.
Ignatius’s gravest downfall is, perhaps, his rudeness.

Throughout the novel, Ignatius manages to offend nearly every character he meets. As a fully grown man, Ignatius has not learned how to behave as a respectful, functional adult. When Ignatius casually strolls through the French Quarter, he stumbles upon an outdoor women’s art display. Ignatius obnoxiously insults the artwork in front of the artists themselves, exclaiming, “How dare you present such abortions to the public” (244). Later, when Ignatius attempts to create a political party of sodomites, he is kicked out of his own get-together because he offends a majority of the people in attendance. Throughout the night, Ignatius constantly uses derogatory terms towards the homosexuals, screaming, “Now stop all of this, you two degenerates” (317). Shortly thereafter, he again shows unkind feelings toward the people’s sexualities, yelling “Silence, you perverts! Listen to me,” in an attempt to gather everyone’s attention (322). No matter the victims, whether women or homosexuals, Ignatius never fails to cause a scene and offend an innocent

person.
Ignatius J. Reilly’s antiquated mindset, gargantuan appetite, and disrespectful attitude mark him as an oddball and an outcast in society. On numerous occasions, Ignatius fails to fit in as an active, effective member of society. Ignatius views himself as a lone genius surrounded by dunces; however, his outdated philosophy, gluttony, and rudeness portray him as the biggest dunce of all.