Ignatius: The Hero

It's hard, at first glance, to identify A Confederacy of Dunces as an American classic and therefore it is difficult to find themes of classic American literature. But, as I began to think about it I realized that Ignatius, despite his vulgar behavior and narcissistic persona is a hero...of sorts. Not so much an American hero in the classic sense (for example George Washington) but more of a Millerian, tragic antihero. Ignatius' habits and tenancies are not understood by other people and his beliefs are old-fashioned and strange- this is his tragedy. His frustration with humanity is born from the ignorance, hypocrisy, and overall impracticality of the modern world and it's his cruel fate to be surrounded by people who are completely oblivious to his preaching. But in a world where everyone misunderstands his frustration as audacity, Ignatius fares on, insluting everyone who gets in his way.