This one included a plastic cutlass and an earring. He switched to a veritable pirate costume. Upon taking on the dual roles of hot dog vendor by day and political agitator by night, Ignatius modified his wardrobe. Keep in mind this description occurred on the first page. The outfit was acceptable by any theological and geometrical standards, however abstruse, and suggested a rich inner life. The plaid flannel shirt made a jacket unnecessary while the muffler guarded exposed Reilly skin between earflap and collar. Their pleats and nooks contained pockets of warm, stale air that soothed Ignatius. The voluminous tweed trousers were durable and permitted unusually free locomotion. Ignatius himself was dressed comfortably and sensibly. …Possession of anything new or expensive only reflected a person’s lack of theology and geometry it could even cast doubts upon one’s soul. Upon introducing Ignatius on page one, he cleverly combined how the character’s outer appearance reflected his personality. Toole ensured his protagonist showed his originality.

A comic masterpiece resulted.Īside from providing him a quirky personality that set a new standard for peculiarity, Mr. And how best to craft a story regarding the most original character ever devised? Why with a host of characters each distinctive in their own rights. Reilly: one time college professor turned hot dog vendor. A Confederacy of Dunces introduced to literature the most eccentric and entertaining character I’ve had the pleasure of encountering. It didn’t surprise the John Kennedy’s Toole’s fictitious account of the area would do the same.

Anyone who’s been to Bourbon Street knows: the Big Easy contains its share of unique and interesting characters.

Review a confederacy of dunces