Source
r/ForeverAlone•
Prop0

Read the book, "Confederacy of Dunces"?

I have finally gotten around to reading what is commonly said to be the funniest book ever written. It is living up to expectations so far. For those who have not read it, you should start. For everyone else, specifically those who consider themselves wizards and the like, what was your opinion of Ignatius? Do you identify with him? Do you believe he is a caricature of very extreme cases of social maladjustment, or maybe a typical case? Do you think he was right, or was his worldview a way for him to justify trying so he never has to experience failure?

Posted Apr 10, 2016, 9:03 PM UTC

63
loveableLampreyI hate a lot of things•

I'm not a wizard and I probably won't ever be because I'd rather suicide than hit 40 still alone, but anyways...

I really don't see how anyone could finish that book and think Ignatius was right.

Not to say that there aren't plenty of identifiable characteristics about him, but he's a caricature turned up to 11. He's basically this hypocritical pseudo-intellectual who thinks he's cultured and worldly but has never left Louisiana. He belittles everything around him unless it fits into his narrow worldview, lies to and takes advantage of everyone he meets, and refuses to accept that all of his failings directly come from him being a repugnant human being. He blames Fortuna, he blames his Mom, he blames stress, he blames his valve, etc...

Ignatius is what happens when you combine a hipster stereotype with a neckbeard stereotype and amplified all of their worst personality traits.

4
LetsGoAllTheWhey•

I read the book awhile back and thought it was hilarious. I'm from New Orleans so I can relate to things like the local dialect and accent.

If I remember right, Ignatius is loosely based on the author. He was educated at Columbia, wrote the book, and was rejected by every publisher he approached. He eventually committed suicide and I think that's when his mom took the manuscript to publishers and wouldn't take no for an answer. The book, or author, eventually won a Pulitzer Price.

As a side note, the story opens with Ignatius standing under a clock in front of a department store on Canal Street. The store, D H Holmes, was eventually turned into a hotel in real life. The clock is still in place and there is a bronze statute of Ignatius placed directly under the clock.

3
snotmyfault•

Ignatius riley, the original neckbeard.

1