Wealth Quotes in A Confederacy of Dunces

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"My sweater cost me forty dollars," the young man said. He felt the worn portion that had been scraped by the cutlass. "Are you prepared to pay for it?"

"Of course not. Never become involved in an altercation with a pauper." (10.146-147)

Ignatius uses his poverty as a shield; he can't give you any money back, so he can steal (hot dogs) or damage (sweaters) with impunity. It doesn't always work, of course (Mr. Clyde threatens him physically, and then makes him work as a hot dog vendor), but Ignatius figures there's nothing wrong with trying.

Quote #8

"Money?" Ignatius asked happily. "Thank God." He quickly pocketed the two bills. "I'd rather not ask the obscene motive for this. I'd like to think that you're attempting to make amends in your simple way for slandering me on my dismal first day with this ludicrous wagon." (11.291)

Ignatius is supposed to be committed to the Boethian idea that the modern decadence of money is against God, so he probably shouldn't be thanking God for money. But it's hard to keep your eyes on the heavens when you really want to go to the movies to see Doris Day perform hideous rites of decadence

Quote #9

The total was sixty cents, a sum that limited and blocked escape routes. (14.58)

Wealth gives you options. If you don't have any money and they're coming to lock you up, you're stuck… unless Myrna sweeps down to save you.