Confederacy of Dunces || Summary and Analysis
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
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Confederacy of Dunces by John Kenedy Toole is one of the most beloved books on booktube. I think it's horribly sad. In this video I summarize some of the plot points and what I believe Toole was trying to accomplish with the piece. Hope this is helpful!
Intriguing analysis. However, I disagree with the statement that no character changed. Ignatius’s mother learned to let go of her son. Officer Mancuso finally gained some self respect and confidence. Finally, Ignatius learned to let his guard down at the very end, and drive away into the sunset with Mirna
Additionally, Gus Levy reconciled his resentment against his father and decided to take control of the company. Great video!
Bruh, spoiler alert
Well Ignatius had to leave or he would be in mental institute
Agreed!
I think you're wrong that there are no character arcs. Irene comes out of her alcoholic haze, makes friends, and finds a beau. Gus grows a backbone. Darlene advocates for herself and eventually becomes an exotic. Gus Levy grows a backbone. Patrolman Mancuso proves himself to the sergeant and wins respect. Miss Trixie gets her retirement. Claude gets himself a chance at romance with Irene -- a woman he's had his eye on for a while. And even though Ignatius is still the same old slob, he's launching himself out of the nest.
Exactly
This book was the first “big book” I read as a teen; it was given to me by my late father.
Like an odd smell, or a familiar location, it reminds me of that time in my younger years.
This really is, such an enjoyable read!
I love this book.
I miss you dad.
Everyone is a dunce in the book. This is true. But the title of the book refers satirically to the following: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." Ignatius is the "true genius" and everyone else is in confederacy against him. The epigram both emphasizes his arrogance and his condescending view of others.
Technically that IS the implication, but I think Toole's title is meant to be taken sarcastically. Think of it this way: In order for Ignatius to BE the genius he imagines himself to be, virtually everyone else he encounters MUST be the dunces, and this is why Ignatius is in a perpetual state of patronizing condescendence to the modern world and everyone in it.
@@DATo_DATonian I took @coreymiller8940 to mean the same
Because that is reality. Often there is no growth, often people don’t develop …. It’s a great book. It’s funny in a satirical yet realistic way. It’s a conglomerate of real people. Yes I guess that’s sad it it’s real. Toole’ parents especially his mother were crazy people. Poor guy… he didn’t have a chance! That IS sad…. But the book is laugh out loud, gut busting funny. Who knows what creates a genius…. There is a fine line between genius and madness. It’s in my top 20 books and I’ve read it 7 times.
If your not from New Orleans, half of it will go over your head. You really have to be from New Orleans to enjoy the finer points. But it is a masterpiece for those from New Orleans!
You’re so correct🤠
They’ve got a statue of Ignatius on Canal Street btw.
You will either love it or hate it. I loved it. I consider it the funniest book I have ever read. You have to be patient at the beginning however because this book is HIGHLY character driven and the character's personas emerge at a measured pace. If you want to be on the safe side pick it up at the library and if you like it I can almost guarantee that you will want to own it to read over and over. When I finished it I immediately returned to page 1 and reread it a second time. This is one of my favorite books of all time.
The growth is in terms of Ignatius's favorite book Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy, fortunes change constantly. The characters on top at the start, Mrs Leevy, the bar owner, the policeman's boss, end up at the bottom of Fortune's wheel while those at the bottom, Mr Leevy, Burma Jones, Mancuso, end up at the top. There is no sign of permanence to any of that because fortunes will change again.
I’ve been missing your videos, Caleb! It’s been a while since you dropped one, especially when I was used to 1 per week. 😁 Seriously, hope things just got busy or something and nothing is wrong.
Same here.
I have just finished reading the book. What struck me was how utterly contemporary everything felt. The characters, with the possible exception of Jones and some of the police force (here in the UK at least, little time is spent on the beat, so to speak, which leads to the mode of law enforcement feeling a bit anachronistic), could be transplanted into a modern-day sit-com.
One thing I did really like was the way that Toole was even-handed, politically, in a way that feels refreshing. We were brought along on a ride to laugh at all sides of the political spectrum. Toole wanted us to find humor in the "stupid" old, retired suitor hissing about "communiss", Myra's adolescent, left-wing reactionaryism and, of course, Ignatius' Marxist-Monarchist-Medievalist-Catholicism. None was shown to be more, or less, stupid than the other, and each notion was treated with the disrespect that it deserved.
"One thing I did really like was the way that Toole was even-handed, politically" ... ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!! In fact, many of the characters who Toole stereotyped in shall we say, "less than politically correct" fashion went on to become the heroes or success stories by the end.
You have to look at it as a work of art, the grotesque, carnival literature.
Every character in this book changes, profoundly in their own way. Some of the best prose in the English language is found in this book. The scene early on when Ms Lee counts her money.
And he wrote this in one draft.
You need to read this again. I’ve read it four times.
I loved your review of this book and the comparisons with the two books that came before his. Good job.
The way I see the book, Levy has growth. Everyone else is saved by the ones they blame. They all kind of save each other in the end. Levy is the only one who grows with responsibility.
5:00 this character sounds a lot like Britta from Community lol
Ignatius, ironically, is "grateful" in the end.
One thing about this book I find so impressive is the fact that you can still find it to be a masterpiece even if you don’t get the jokes. As I was reading it, I didn’t laugh too often as the jokes weren’t my humor but I still was so engaged by the plot and where the book was going to go
You are genuinely one of my favorite CZcamsrs. It's unfortunate you haven't been updating.
Great video. I feel as though far too many book reviews talk about their personal reaction to the book instead of giving us a more in depth analysis as to why the viewer (ME) might want to read it. Good job!
Yo this guy is awesome, he should be like a high school teacher or something
Lol I agree.
Insane that I saw you years ago after searching NT Wright's books, and now I came back to this channel to see Confederacy of Dunces!
To rebut your opening, I love that the characters don't grow. You mention conversation, but it's clear in the first hundred pages that everyone's actions will be cyclical. Each chapter is its own Sunday comic. When the entire farce comes to a head, the two biggest idiots end up together. In my opinion, the end of the book makes it clear that, wow, every airhead in this canon deserves every single self-imposed thing. We're never supposed to relate to the "protagonist" who is, by authorial intent, so oblivious to the mess he's left behind.
I laughed my ass off the whole book and then toward the end when Ignatius is at the “political” party with Dorian, he gets embarrassed and the book describes him thrusting his cutlass at an imaginary enemy to relieve his self-consciousness….I felt so so sad for him. It stopped me in my tracks. I realized he is a little boy with a big vocabulary.
Read Dead Souls by Gogol for the root of Toole’s style.
Hi Caleb! I’m a new subscriber to your channel. You explain complex books really well! I was wondering if you could tackle some time in the near future Jesus and the Eyewitness? I have the book, but it’s so academic I’m having trouble getting the main points.
I've had the suggested a couple of times now and it's on my to read list for sure! Hopefully I can get to it in the next few months. Thanks for subbing!!
@@CalebSmith3 I have a little known book for you to review: A One Hundred Dollar Misunderstanding, by Robert Gover (it's part of a trilogy) I really hope you read this book. You can thank me later.😁 PS Your review is excellent!
Great job! Well, this assessment isn't fair because I have not read this book. However, after listening to your review, I want to. Your review gave me another push toward reading the book or at least saying I will.
Thank you for your summary, I enjoy reading this book over time.. the brilliance of moments in your hands ❤
"see you next week"
*one year later* :'(
None of my novels have been published. Yet, I'm still here! I can understand if an author believes he has written his life's work and no one appreciates it (don't we all find it disappointing when our efforts are ignored?) but, folks, just keep on doing what drives you. Sad we are denied more of his insights. Perhaps he suffered from depression. At least we got one book!
Very interesting analysis!
Man i wish you will be the greatest or the most popular book reviewers, you have inspired me to read more novels and books
I think.everyone should read two books. To.Kill.a Mockingbird and Confederacy. Of Dunces
I trust you are well Caleb. Missing your videos. Alan
I appreciate this summary and analysis. I will probably pick up the book now.
Just received this for my birthday, I'm such a dunce I wanted to hear if it was worth reading before making the effort.
Jeez. Instead of analysis. Why not just enjoy it. And it is sad Mr. Kennedy didn't live to see how much people enjoyed it.
@@jeffreyholmes7216Analysis _is_ the way some minds enjoy things. Live and let live.
Artie Lange who is a dirty ol' comic says this is his favorite book, so it peaked my interest bc I didnt think someone like Artie would even admit to reading for pleasure. I assumed it's great, but I still have to try reading it sometime.
Loved the analysis, great and interesting points made! definitely will check the book out
he didn’t leave Levy Pants he got fired
I bought this book years ago, but never read it. I've always wrestled with wanting to and not wanting to. Good review anyway
By far the funniest book written by an American and the funniest book I have ever read. My wife and I read it aloud to each other and howled with laughter till our stomachs hurt. Stick with it until Ignatius get a job at Levy Pants and prepare to pee yours! Hilarious.
Oh man, a slightly more contemporary conservative argumentative charismatic version on Thomas Aquinas sounds like the peak of comedy 😂😂 Can’t stop rofling just at the concept my goodness
Hi, Caleb. It's a pleasure to be here. I've just subbed to you. Loved you review, it's funny how we can always find books differently.
I see that you make some videos related to Christianity, that's amazing. I would love to contact you, I couldn't find a link in your about page, please, how can I contact you.
I look forward to your response. Thanks, Peter.
The texture of the cover of your copy feels kinda sand paper? Not matte finish. The cover kinda feels like plastic
Mr. Smith!!!
Forcing ideologies into every conversation
Laugh at those to not be like them
Thank you! Very helpful perspective.
thanks a lot for your video! but i got a little bit confused because of your description of Lana Lee (hope i wrote that right bc i was reading in different language) the barkeeper. wasn’t she middle aged and also wasn’t she running all that nasty things? like making pornography with herself and selling it in schools?
i’m just nervous right now because of that, because i read book in other language and i scared that translator messed up everything and made up their own story.
i’ll be really glad if someone who read book in english will help me to figure it out!
(also i’m really sorry for my bad english, it’s not my native language!!)
I finished it last night. Its really sad for me too because I know a guy who is exactly like Ignatius, right down to the medievalism.
Based, minus the being a loser
Hi Caleb, do you have any books you recommend for people wanting to get a good picture of the history during the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel? In particular, covering the rise and fall of Assyria, Neo Babylon, and Persia?
Great point about the difference between funny and clever. Personally, I thought this book was mildly funny at a few points and very clever throughout most of the narrative
The man that she got to publish it was the LSU English chair named Percy. It wasn't Chicago
Yes, Walker Percy. And she approached him when he was a guest professor at Tulane. It's my understanding that Walker Percy helped get it published, but idk if he had anything to do with it winning the Pulitzer. Maybe, but I've not read that.
Just found your channel dude, love your content!
Heyyyy that’s my Teacherrrrr
He gives me Bible teacher vibes ngl
I sense that you somehow believe that this book is supposed to be a cure for societal ills or something like that. You dunce!It's just meant to be entertaining and perhaps bring a bit of relief from the absurdity of daily life! 😊🎉
Read it years ago. It made laugh but it was also quite sad.
MR SMITH WASSUP
Perhaps you should re-read this book without any expectations of hilarity.
Hey! Where have you been for the past 6 months! Hope all is good! Take care!
A Confederacy of Dunces.
Author John Kennedy Toole
Language English
Genre Comedy, tragicomedy
Published 1980 (Louisiana State University Press)
it was published by lsu press I know this because my grandmother edited it Beverly Jarrett Mills
I love your reviews man. I have noticed you have not posted in a while, is everything all right?
Thanks for the compliment, and noticing I've been gone haha. Yeah I'm still excited to film reviews! I started as a high school teacher, teaching 4 periods, and the work is more than anticipated so I haven't had much time to film. I'm always still reading though!!
@@CalebSmith3 We miss you Caleb! We'll be right here once the teaching load lightens enough for you to film. God bless brother.
ps. Im reading The Brothers Karamazov right now and loving it. Would love your take on it if you ever get around to it!
While I'm honoured that someone would deign to preemptively write a book about me, I prefer my given name to "Ignatius".
A bit weird you think people suicide because they fail.
This is a non fiction depiction of the youth of america
Could you please read/review a book entitled "Sexing the Cherry" ? Thanks so much!
Can you Please review Michael j. Groman's books🙏
Caleb!! Can you do a video on continuationism and cessationism? I’d love to watch you tease out such a topic
This book is wonderful, Ignatius mum is mean she caused him to become obese as a child and continued to encourage him as an adult.24 cakes?
Are you still making content? You should be. Post an update. I saw something on patreon, but don't know if you still do it.
Hey thanks for the support! I hope to get back to posting soon!
Yes! Love your content! I’m reading more because of it and it has changed my life for the better. Looking forward to new uploads.
So what happened 7 months ago that you stopped publishing videos?
I took a job at a Church and a school and I'm still reading and taking notes for future videos but life's been super busy. Hopefully when summer roles around I'll have more time!
@@CalebSmith3 I assumed it was because you got a job somewhere. Congratulations on both jobs! It does sound like a lot. I've been in ministry since 2010 and had seasons being bi-vocational as well as getting married, having children, finishing a Mdiv, etc, so I can appreciate having a full schedule. Your videos are great!
I align more with NT Wright theologically, though he takes justification a bit further than I am willing to go. Jesus and the faithfulness of God is probably my favorite book about Jesus, besides the Bible. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that. I know you've done the resurrection of the son of God. And of course I'd like to hear your thoughts on Paul and the Faithfulness of God (or as I mockingly like to call it, PAT-FOG), which took me a year to read.
Grace and Peace!
just found your videos on Jesus and the Victory of God
@@CalebSmith3 I'm happy to know you still have plans for the channel, and happier to know you're busy teaching and reading, glory be to God!
May the Lord keep blessing you, Caleb, and all the people you teach!
@@PedroHLima12 I’m blessed to be one of his students.
Your channel needs more viewers.
You nailed it. I loved the book, recommended it to friends, but when they's ask what it was about, I'd ramble about Ignatius, his mom Irene, Myrna Minkoff, Jones and all the other ridiculous characters and insanity and when I was finished I'd feel like I did a stand up routine. In essence I think I convinced them the book was a riot, but couldn't articulate what it was about. You did. Thank you.
Make more vids!
I'm totally with you on this one. I read it on the recommendation of a literature teacher years ago, who described it as hilarious, and I ended up with a lower opinion of that teacher. Laughing at this book is like laughing at someone's serious mental illness. Like laughing at a person who leads a very misguided, twisted, sad, extremely antisocial, intolerant life, and who really, really needs some help. It ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak, and was pretty depressing. Not my kind of humor, I guess.
I personally didn't enjoy the book it was a waste of time. I could have read another book instead of this one.
This is more of a Gen X and Boomer book.
Oh pulllleeez....."character growth"...in THIS era?
Plus your analysis is anachronistic citing John Candy and "The Office"..."come on, man"lol
Well written but as cringe worthy as Gravity’s Rainbow.