September / Comic Novel Reading: A Confederacy of Dunces

[bouquin]

All his writings and so-called projects remind me of a child's as well... A child with a very active imagination (a Walter Mitty character?). He signed his letter to his Prof as "Zorro"!

Love it that Miss Trixie keeps calling him "Gloria".

I'm thinking that maybe there's something symbolic about the name Gloria. Ignatius covets praise and recognition, i.e., glory; then we find him being called Gloria by mistake and by somebody who is no longer is full possession of her intellectual capacities. It's as if to associate Ignatius with glory would be an inaccuracy, an aberration.

[Scheherazade]

I'm thinking that maybe there's something symbolic about the name Gloria. Ignatius covets praise and recognition, i.e., glory; then we find him being called Gloria by mistake and by somebody who is no longer is full possession of her intellectual capacities. It's as if to associate Ignatius with glory would be an inaccuracy, an aberration.

That is a valid interpretation, I think.

Hadn't thought about it.

[bouquin]

I like his use of the reflexive in the dialog, which is sort of a Cajun-ism you hear sometimes from natives of New Orleans. “Myself, I go down der to de Café Du Monde for dem beignets an some a dat cafe au lait.” Something like that. It’s a little more widespread over in Lafayette.
Anyway, what do you guys think of his phonetic spelling inside the quotation marks. Could he have developed Jones without it? I think modern African-Americans readers may choke on the cartoonish portrayal of Jones.

Jones is my favorite character.

[Sancho]

I thought Jones was a bit flat in the book, but Mos Def could definitely round out that character in a movie. In fact, he’d probably steal the show, fo’ shizzle! How about Seth Rogen as Ignatius?

[bouquin]

I feel same way about Ignatius.. There was a moment I almost quit reading -when his religious ecstasy took a sudden turn (I part of Chapter II). It took me whole day to get over the disgust. Now I'm a little careful - I avoid reading parts with Ig. before or after eating.
he's one big PARASITE -he's never wrong-and has always ready answer to every blame. I think I know him well now. I knew that he had no money to pay for hot dogs, and he would not sell any of them. Actually I'm surprised that he finally made $4. I thought he would repeat first day all the time while having that job. Another surprising side of him- Looks like he loves animals. Isn't that interesting?

This book is going to be one of my favorites. So much respect and admiration for the writer! Big, big Thanks -the one who nominated it and the ones who voted for it.



Good point

My pleasure! I nominated this book and I'm happy it got selected. We've had a good discussion on it.

[mal4mac]

When the books were being nominated someone wondered if the British contingent would like "Dunces". I certainly did! It's very Pythonesque - all those silly costumes and extreme cartoonish characters. Even a parrot! Though very live... I was worried the book might not live up to my image of New Orleans - a fun, party town full of zanies. But no worries. It only added some new images. I wonder if the Levy Pants scenes were an inspiration for the Office?

So, all in all, it was a very funny book. I was slightly disappinted by the complete lack of depth. Given that Ig was a devotee of Boethius I was looking for some indication of how medieval philosophy impacted on his life. This turned out to be like looking for a summary of Western philosophy in the Python "footballing philosophers" sketch. So don't expect any deep insights into the human condition. But it was very funny.

[Scheherazade]

Given that Ig was a devotee of Boethius I was looking for some indication of how medieval philosophy impacted on his life.

I think that was the point... that it did not have any impact on his life or life philosophies. All his learning and studies are for the sake of exam papers and such and whatever is supposed to be learnt by them does not actually register with him.

What's worse, he uses his knowledge against others, to humiliate or take advantage of them.

[lugdunum]

I also had a great time with the book. Espcially towards the end. Like Zosimov'sCorpse said, the range of feelings I've felt towards I. is huge.... First he grossed me out, then I hated him .... and then at one point I almost took pity on him...

I also agree with you Scheherazade that all his studies were completely useless except to help him show off his knowledge and condescend. He sees himself like a misunderstood genius and yet he's so dumb and easy to fool and manipulate. Even Jones who, in appearance is not the brightest, manages to trick him....

About this book being made into a movie it has actually been considered. Apparently W. Ferrell was going to play Ignatius. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Confederacy_of_Dunces). Yet as someone said, I could totally see Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role.... Or maybe Jack Black....

Good choice Bouquin