A Confederacy Of Dunces

Journal One:

A Confederacy of Dunces

Chapter One:

Plot: Ignatius waited for Mrs. Reilly outside the department store. A policeman attempted to apprehend Ignatius; a mob ensued with the result of an old man being arrested for calling the policeman a communist. Mrs. Reilly and Ignatius escape to a local bar in which the bartender treats them with a lack of respect as well as eavesdrops on their conversation about Ignatius' trip to Baton Rouge.

The old man, Claude Robichaux, was brought before the police sergeant as well as the officer who brought him in. A black man named Jones made comments during the man's "interrogation" and was repeatedly told to shut up by name, giving the idea that this wasn't the first time Jones had been there.

Returning to the Night of Joy bar, Ignatius' mother sells her hat to a young gentleman for fifteen dollars while Ignatius tells his bus story to a regular customer by the name of Darlene. Mrs. Reilly has a little too much to drink and begins to weave a tale of domestic mistreatment by her boy and Darlene loses interest in Ignatius. Ms. Lee, the bar's patron returns from a few hours of shopping and kicks the Reillys out of the bar. When Mrs. Reilly tries to drive away from the city, she demolishes a Voltzwagon parked behind the massive '46 Plymouth and crumbles a balcony of a building she hits. The officer from Ignatius' previous incident ends the chapter with his arrival in a most awkward costume, punishment for his earlier dealings.

Character: Ignatius is a highly intelligent, socially awkward, and interesting character. Plump and at least a little bit apprehensive towards the world in general, he wears an odd assortment of clothing and pines for his lost lumber jacket. He is 30, unemployed and lives with his mother. He spent eight years of college getting a masters degree in an as of yet undisclosed discipline, possibly having to do with medieval history based upon his one known job interview with the head of Medieval Studies in Baton Rouge.

Mrs. Reilly is Ignatius' mother. She has arthritis of the elbow and shows a genuine interest in the well being of her child while on the same time feels a slight feeling of resentment of his overpowering each and every conversation as well as the trouble he finds himself in.

Claude Robichaux was the old man who tried to defend Ignatius by calling the policeman a communist. He has six grandchildren who study with nuns. He is a member of several societies and seems to be well respected by those who know him, even to the point where he openly weeps while pleading with the sergeant not to call his family.

Mr. Jones is a black man who was falsely accused of stealing from a store called Woolsworth. He explained the plight of blacks in New Orleans and their mistreatment. He is known by name by the police in the station. He is never seen without his signature black sunglasses which hide all readability of facial expressions.

Patrolman Mancuso was the arresting officer with both Mr. Robichaux and the attempt he made with Ignatius. As punishment for these actions, his sergeant has forced him to wear different costumes each day because of his new position. He has been charged with apprehending all suspicious characters. He is dangerously close to losing his job on the force.

Ms. Lee owns the Night of Joy bar, a bar with failing business and an open janitorial position.

Darlene is a blonde customer of the Night of Joy bar, a regular by the situation she is placed in when the Reillys are forced to leave.

Setting: New Orleans during the red scare, most likely the second such scare. It is a chilly day, forcing the wearing of heavy clothing.

The Night of Joy bar is a seedy strip bar at night, a most unwelcoming place for our two Reillys.

Structure: Three sections with different settings.

Chapter Two:

Plot: Ignatius wakes to write more of his social commentary on his big chief tablets. Once he finishes writing, he takes part in a male activity and falls back onto his bed wondering where he had some Kleenex.

Jones applies for the janitorial position in the Night of Joy bar. Ms. Lee hires him on the spot once she hears the cops will be all over him unless he is game fully employed. She hires him but refuses to pay minimum wage.

Patrolman Mancuso arrives at the Reilly home and speaks with Mrs. Reilly about the unfortunate situation she has been placed in. He explains that she owes the owner of the building $1,020. Obviously, she doesn't have enough funds, so Mancuso suggests that Ignatius find employment. He would hear nothing of this idea and retreated once again to his lair until Mancuso leaves. Mrs. Reilly finally gets Ignatius to agree to find a job when she threatens to mortgage the house.

Jones rides the bus to the police station and feels rightly angered at the apparent feelings of the old white woman next to him, fidgeting, fearing for her life just because Jones is sitting next to her. He thinks about Ignatius and reads a Life magazine in which we learn his fondness for advertisements.

Ignatius travels to the movie tonight. He watches the film about circus performers with disgust, throwing his voice into the mix with abominable comments as well as the popping of an inflated popcorn bag. The other customers complain but Ignatius will not give in. The manager talks with him several times, but it is no use. Ignatius truly gets annoyed when the love scene is brought to fruition. Illuminating the audience to the health problems each of the actors and actresses must have within their mouths.

Character: Darlene is revealed to work at the bar to make people buy more drinks.

Mancuso is revealed to be a very caring, if not bumbling man with a good heart.

Ms. Lee's truly nature and cold heart are exposed to the reader with how she treats Jones.

Myra Minkoff is first introduced. We later learn she is a college friend and Ignatius' one true rival.

Setting: The Reilly's home is located in a terrible neighbor that once, long ago, stood tall as a quaint and beautiful Victorian neighborhood. Since its downfall, however, ramshackle alterations and additions to various buildings leave it only to the imagination the grandeur such a neighborhood could ever have imposed upon a passerby.

Structure: Five sections with different

...