John Kennedy Toole remains a figure often defined by the promise he showed rather than by the works he completed. His most celebrated novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, was published posthumously, cementing his legacy as a writer whose potential was recognized too late. Born in 1937 in New Orleans, Toole's life was as complex and poignant as his characters, filled with achievements shadowed by personal struggle and an untimely death.

Early Life and Education

Toole was the child of John Toole, a car salesman, and Thelma Ducoing Toole, a teacher. Demonstrating literary talent at a tender age, he penned his first novel at sixteen. He pursued higher education with a fervor, obtaining a B.A. from Tulane University in 1958 and an M.A. in English from Columbia University the following year. His academic journey continued as he taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana before serving in the army, where he began writing A Confederacy of Dunces while stationed in Puerto Rico from 1962 to 1963. Upon returning to New Orleans, Toole worked toward a Ph.D. at Tulane University and taught at Saint Mary’s Dominican College, leaving a mark on his students and peers. Tragically, in 1969, he took his own life at the age of thirty-one.

Unpublished Work: The Neon Bible

Written at sixteen, Toole's novel The Neon Bible faced a long journey before seeing the light of publication due to legal disputes among his heirs. Set in a small Southern town during the 1940s, the story follows young David as he navigates familial eccentricities and the restrictive nature of religious fanaticism. David's life spirals into a crisis when his father goes off to war, his beloved aunt departs, and a preacher exerts undue influence over his mother.

The Journey of A Confederacy of Dunces

The path to publishing A Confederacy of Dunces was fraught with challenges. Between 1963 and 1966, Toole engaged with Simon and Schuster, a process that involved numerous revisions and ultimately ended in rejection in 1966. Devastated, Toole seemed to abandon the hope of publication. After his death, his mother tirelessly championed the book, sending its worn carbon copy to eight publishers over seven years. Her persistence paid off in 1980 when, with Walker Percy’s advocacy, Louisiana State University Press published the novel. Despite earlier rejections, the novel was met with critical acclaim, selling 45,000 copies in hardcover and securing a spot on The New York Times paperback best-seller list for over a month. It was awarded the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and nominated for the Faulkner Award in 1981.

The Unforgettable Ignatius J. Reilly

The novel centers on Ignatius J. Reilly, an eccentric thirty-year-old whose life is as chaotic as it is comedic. Living in New Orleans, he relies on his flamboyant, alcoholic mother for support. Ignatius, named after Saint Ignatius Loyola, immerses himself in medieval philosophy, finding solace in the writings of Boethius, a Roman philosopher who advocated for passive acceptance of life's hardships. He chronicles his musings in Big Chief Tablets scattered throughout his dreary, monastic room. Despite his disdain for modern culture, he indulges in junk food and television, which exacerbates his chronic gastrointestinal issues.

Subplots and Themes

Ignatius’s reluctant job search at his mother’s urging sparks numerous subplots. His stint at the Levy Pants Company, a failing enterprise, is characterized by his absurd attempts to improve the business: decorating with homemade signs, purging old files, and inciting workers to riot. His eccentricity is further highlighted in his friendship with Miss Trixie, a forgetful elderly woman eager for retirement. Ignatius's next job selling hot dogs fares no better, as he...