A Confederacy of Dunces: Chapter 10, Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Ignatius has a medieval understanding of biology which he believes is superior to a modern scientific one. In his view, all physiological symptoms are brought on by external imbalances in one’s life. He sees Irene’s rebellion against him (he used to be able to control her easily) as a sign of this disorder. Irene believes that Ignatius is a communist and interrogates his political beliefs because of this. Her behavior parodies American paranoia about communism in the mid-20th century. Ignatius’s violent dream about Myrna suggests that he is conflicted about her, which supports the idea that (like his conflicting attitudes about sex and popular culture) he both despises and is drawn to her.

It is ironic that Ignatius, who is disgusted by sex and the way that sex is used in modern advertising, inadvertently makes a sexual innuendo on his hot dog sign. Although Ignatius views modernity as hypersexual, the women are very offended by the double entendre and this suggests that the general public’s worldview is more puritanical than Ignatius suspects.

Ignatius is as offended by the ladies’ artwork as they are by the sexual hot dog sign. This suggests that culture is subjective—things that are considered shocking and offensive by some might be considered innocuous or even valuable by others. Dorian is associated with costume and Carnival throughout the novel and encourages people to dress up because he knows that, in disguise, people are able to reveal their true selves. This links to his reference of a fortune teller, as these figures are believed to uncover people’s secrets.

Although Ignatius is only dressed as a pirate, the costume has an absurd effect on him and causes him to actually behave like one and duel people with his sword. This demonstrates the power of disguise and the temporary transformation that it can bring about in people.

Almost everyone Ignatius encounters in the French Quarter is also in disguise, suggesting that things in this part of the city are not always what they seem and that the usual order of life does not apply here. This supports the idea that many people who could not live openly in respectable American society (such as homosexual men like Dorian and Timmy) live freely in the French Quarter by using disguise. In this sense, costumes can empower people and ironically enable them to leave their lives more authentically than they would be able to if they presented their true selves to the world.

Ignatius has an extremely stereotypical view of homosexuals and does not view them as individuals who are free to make decisions for themselves. This mirrors Ignatius’s treatment of the black workers during the race riot and suggests that he sees minorities as inferior groups whom he can use to benefit himself as a social activist and to annoy Myrna.

This passage suggests that political parties rely heavily on presentation and outward appearances. Political groups often conceal their true intentions of benefitting themselves by pretending to help and represent the needs of others. Mardi Gras is a Carnival which takes place in New Orleans. The idea of Carnival also relates to the medieval ideas which run throughout the novel, as Carnival (a period of time in which the normal order of society was considered to be reversed and people masqueraded as members of a different class) was considered an important part of medieval society which helped maintain balance between the nobles and the peasants.

Ignatius does not feel that he has a choice about the direction his life takes, but really, there is no reason why Ignatius must associate with Dorian if he doesn’t want to. This suggests that Ignatius secretly does want to be involved with Dorian, even if he cannot admit this to himself because he is homophobic.