The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz The influence of others can have a major impact on someone’s life; shaping both their belief and their behaviour. This is definitely the case in the Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz. On his journey, toward becoming a ”‘somebody” several character's influence Duddy Kravitz negatively. Max Kravitz is not the best role model for Duddy, as he lies to him, assumes the worse for him, and degrades women. Uncle Benjy unintentionally teaches him violence, drinking, and what to do in a relationship. Jerry Dingleman, best known as “The Boy Wonder”, discourages Duddy and shows how Duddy can cheat his way to success. These three characters affect Duddy kravitz throughout his strive into becoming a successful man in the future. Max kravitz lacks the ability to be a good role model for Duddy Kravitz. Max does not realize how …show more content…
his actions of lying to Duddy, making him feel abortive, and teaching him the wrong way to view women can easily make him an awful influence for Duddy. When Duddy comes back from Ste.Agathe, Duddy questions Max on why he does not write back to his letters and Max responds with a lie, “Why didn't you answer any of my letters?’...’Oh, you know me. I’m not one for letters.’ But Duddy remembered that when Lennie has worked as a camp counsellor one summer his father had written every week. He had driven out to visit him twice.”(105). By lying to Duddy it will drive him into thinking that it is a good idea to lie to others. Duddy lies when he does not want to pay Virgil one thousand dollars and decides to lie to him by telling him he can get a truck for one thousand,”he wants twelve-fifty for it. But if you were interested , Virgie, and willing to pay cash, I think I could swing it for a thousand.”(215). This is a lie told my Duddy. The car is a gift which he is getting for free. This shows that Max has a negative influence on Duddy as he is lying to his peers. When Max is sitting at Eddy’s Cigar & Soda, a friend of Max's named drapeau sees Duddy and assumes he is Lennie.
Max laughs at his assumption and replies,”Ixnay. He's not gonna be a sawbones. Duddy’s a dope like me.”(23). When Max explains to drapeau that Duddy is a “dope” like himself, it lowers Duddy’s self-esteem and makes him think badly about himself. By saying that Duddy is similar to Max it clarifies that Duddy would not be very successful, and will not go any further than a profession as a taxi driver. This is not a good influence for Duddy as Max does not encourage him to be something better, hurts Duddy’s confidence, does not believe in him, and clearly shows that he talks more of Lennie than Duddy.Throughout Duddy’s life he never had a proper mother figure. The only glimpse and idea Duddy has of women is from his father who treats them with no respect. While Max is at Eddy’s Cigar & Soda, there is a woman waiting for him named Josette, who gets treated with no respect by Max, “ I haven’t got all night. Let’s go’...’You're hurting me’ Josette said”(29). As these violent actions happen toward Josette, it confirms that Max does
not know how to treat women properly and will treat them inappropriately with no respect whatsoever. Duddy learns from Max’s attitude toward women and develops the same actions toward Yvette, “Come on,’ Duddy said, grabbing Yvette's arm. ‘Get in the car.” (213). As Duddy treats Yvette with disrespect it shows that Duddy has the same habits of his father and does not know how to treat a lady. Max is not the best influence for Duddy as he does not teach him the proper way to respect and treat a woman. These actions by Max have a negative influence and make Duddy think it is acceptable to treat any women without civility and good manners. Max is not the best fatherly figure for Duddy as he influences Duddy in a negative way throughout his journey to success. Uncle Benjy is not a positive influence on Duddy.He teaches Duddy the wrong things such as violence, drinking and that his relationship is a terrible example for Duddy. During Duddy’s conversation with his Uncle at the factory, Duddy gets a threat by Benjy, “You’re some kid, Duddy, some id, but this much you ought to know. If you ever do anything to hurt your grandfather I’ll break every bone in your body beginning with the little finger.” (62). Uncle Benjy threatens Duddy which teaches him that in order to solve unwanted problems he can threaten people and can use violence to get what he wants. The audience sees that Duddy has learnt from Uncle Benjy's actions when Duddy threatens Jerry Dingleman to give him money,”I’m not scared. Give me the money or I go to Cote.”(291). This shows that Uncle Benjy is a negative influence on Duddy since he exposes the idea to Duddy's mind that there is nothing wrong with using violence and threatening others on his journey to becoming a person with much wealth. Influencing Duddy to drink alcohol is another issue that Uncle Benjy is brainwashing Duddy to do when he does not realize it. Uncle Benjy drinks whenever he is in a depressed state, “I went to see Benjy in his office yesterday.’Adler said,’and I’d swear he was drunk.”(48). Whenever Duddy hears or sees that Uncle Benjy has been drinking, it brings an idea to Duddy’s mind that he can do the same thing. Instead of drinking Duddy has a problem with smoking,”He smoked one cigarette after another.”(122). Due to Uncle Benjy's influence Duddy now believes that he should smoke to get rid of his self issues. Uncle Benjy Influences wrong and bad ideas by exposing Duddy to drink away his problems. Throughout Duddy’s life, the only influence he has seen of a married couple is from Ida and Benjy’s marriage. Ida and Benjy do not have the best relationship together as Ida has affairs, assumptions, and has no care for Benjy in the relationship. As Duddy looks up to their relationship he gets an idea on what he should do in the relationship. However, these ideas are not good since Uncle Benjy and Ida have an unhealthy marriage. When Duddy went to meet Ida, she speaks about Benjy and their relationship together, “...he’d forgive me all my little affairs...He was trying to murder me with guilt. Your Uncle Benjy is the next thing to a psychopath.”(240). Whenever Benjy forgives Ida for cheating on him , it develops a belief that Duddy has the same privilege to cheat on his partner and get away with it. Duddy has been influenced over the years of watching Uncle Benjy’s relationship with Ida and has done the same mistake as their relationship,”Yvette? I could never marry her. She’s my Girl Friday.”|(229) . Duddy believes that he can do anything he wants and can get away with it. Uncle Benjy has a strong influence on Duddy which affects him negatively on his behaviour, solutions to solving problems, and view on relationships. or These actions by Uncle Benjy set a poor influence toward Duddy as they damage the way he should behave during problems, relationships and more. Jerry Dingleman should not be seen as a role model for Duddy Kravitz. Max tells many stories about “The Boy Wonder”, a man who was once a bum living in St. Urbain who grew up to be a successful businessman. Duddy idolizes him and loves listening to “The Boy Wonder” stories, “max in fact, delighted in telling tales about the legendary Boy wonder. His favourite, a story that Duddy had heard over and over again, was the one about the streetcar transfer.”(24).While Duddy listens to these stories, he is under the influence of a man who cheats his way through life by doing illegal actions. When Duddy is pressured to get all the money he needs, he decides to do an illegal action and forge Virgil’s signature, “He forged the signature by holding the cheque and a letter Virgil had signed up to the window and tracing slowly.” (308). Duddy follows in Jerry Dingemans footsteps and commits an illegal action. This is not the best influence for Duddy seeing that Jerry DIngleman gave him an idea to do illegal actions to get what he wants in life. During Duddy's conversation with Jerry Dingleman in New York, Jerry discourages Duddy on his path to pursue money, “There’s something wrong. A mistake somewhere when a boy your age is already pursuing money like he had a hot poker up his ass.”(141). When “The Boy Wonder” says that there is something wrong with duddy making money, it hinders him.This is a bad influence on Duddy since his role model does not encourage him on his road to becoming a “somebody”. Duddy should idolize a person that works hard and tries their best, rather than a person who became successful by illegal actions and makes a living off smuggling. The people in a person’s life can easily Influence one’s attitude and perspective. Many character's negatively influence Duddy Kravitz as he strives to become a “somebody” on his quest. Duddy’s father does not tell Duddy the truth,does not support him, and teaches Duddy the wrong way to treat women. Along with Max, there is Uncle Benjy who is not a fitting role model for Duddy as he exposes him to the idea of violence, drinking, and displays the wrong behaviors in a relationship. Jerry Dingleman is a terrible person for Duddy to idolize as he is does not encourage Duddy to move forward with his success and presents an idea where Duddy can cheat his way through life. Max Kravitz, Uncle Benjy and Jerry Dingleman all exhibit negative actions that influence Duddy on his passage to becoming a person he believes is a “somebody”.
Max Powers trusted people he thought were his “best friends”, but not all friends are best friends, as Max would soon find out. Max was blinded by the fact that he recently received a will of $12.4 million, due to a skydiving accident that resulted in his parent 's death. He didn’t even realize that his previous “best friends” (Dez Tenney,Chloe Goode,Beverly Hills, Ray Leetuff) were plotting to kill him and become millionaires themselves. Max hosted a housewarming party, at his new place in a very expensive neighborhood due to the fact that he recently received $12.4 million. Max invited Dez, Chloe, Beverly, and Ray because he considered these people to be his best friends, but what he didn 't know was his so called ¨best friends¨ only accepted
After reading the passage, “Clover”, by Billy Lombardo, a reader is able to describe a particular character’s interactions and analyze descriptions of this individual. In the passage, “Clover”, is a teacher, Graham. He, in his classroom, shares something that had occurred that morning. In this passage, the author, Billy Lombardo, describes interaction, responses, and unique characteristics and traits of the key character, Graham.
Hassler, Sean would have never become wiser, become open to learning new things or thought of the world as not such a bad place. Although Sean never clearly admits that Mr. Hassler was his hero, Sean writes in his final essay, “If you find someone who is brave, loyal, and willing to do those extra things for you, don’t say anything to him. Just stay close to him, and pay attention. You could learn a lot.” (170). Sean’s final words in his essay prove the fact that he has learned something from his experience on the ranch. All the traits he describes such as brave, loyal, and willing describe Mr. Hassler and what he had done for Sean. Mr. Hassler took in and cared for Sean while he was having difficulties with his parents, and Mr. Hassler did this like it was his own son. Sean began to realize what Mr. Hassler had done for him and completely transformed from being negative and stubborn to genuinely caring, with a positive attitude, when dealing with the things Mr. Hassler was trying to tell him. Mr. Hassler also taught Sean many disciplined tasks such as taking care of a horse which causes Sean to have to focus and work very hard. Along with his positive attitude and new and improved outlook on life, Sean learned so much through his experiences and what good there is in the world around
Duddy was not born into money, his father, Max, was a taxi driver, and pulled in a low income. Max’s brother, Benjy had money and always played favourites with Duddy’s brother, Lennie by giving him money and opportunities. Duddy always had to struggle for his money, and in one his many struggles he borrows his father’s taxi cab, which is his only source of income, but does not return it for three days. He was delivering pin ball machines that he had sold. When he returns he finds his father is furious at him just taking off with the cab without permission. “They found Max at Eddy’s, and he was furious, ‘who do you think you are?,’ he said ‘that you can run off with my car for three days? Just like that.’” (Richler, 213). Duddy has a way of burning bridges with the people that he most needs, he only thinks of himself, and has no consideration for the feelings of others, even those who does not want to hurt the most. Duddy’s grandfather, also known as the Zeyda, is Duddy’s mentor and the only person Duddy really looks up to, and the one he does not want to hurt, but ends up hurting him the worst. “‘Yvette came to see me.’…. ’she told me what you did,’ Simcha said, ‘And I don’t want a farm here.’ …. ‘I can see what you have planned for me, Duddel. You’ll be good to me. You’d give me everything I wanted.
...his antagonist proves to be their own inner character which determines the trajectory of their decisions. As they all become aware, the consequences of their decisions prove to have an extensive impact on themselves and those around them.
The main character is Andy, a fifteen-year old boy. The other main character is Andy's dad, Mr. Zadinski. Hes a professor at Madison College. Paul was Andy's best friend who tried to help him with his problem. Mr. Lucas is also a professor who makes prank calls to Andy about killing someone. Nina Klemmer was a college student who was being stalked.
Two people with two completely different characteristics have something alike. Both Dally and Johnny are mentally tough because of their parents. Johnny and Dally’s parents both do not care for them and could care less about them. For example, during Dally’s childhood he went to jail, been in a gang, and has been in many fights and his dad still would not care for him even if he won the lottery. Dally also talks about his dad's disgrace towards him in the car with Johnny and Ponyboy, “‘ Shoot, my dad don’t give a hang whether I’m in jail or dead in a car wreck or drunk in a gutter...’”(88). Dally could easily live without his dad and he does for the most part. Dally just hangs around with his friends and stays at their place. Similarly, Johnny's parents use him like a rag doll to blow off steam, “his father always beating him up”(14). The gang knows what happenes in Johnny’s house. Once Ponyboy was witnessing, “Johnny take a whipping with a two-by-four from his old man”(33). Ponyboy talks about how loud and mean Johnny's mom is and,“you can...
There are three older boys, Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, that have an effect on the group of younger boys. The Main character Ralph, changes throughout the novel because of his role of leadership and responsibility, which shapes him into a more strict but caring character as the group becomes more uncivilized and savage. At the beginning of the story, after the plane crashed on the island and the boys are accounted for, Ralph feels very free and absent. He finds a lagoon with warm water, and just like any other twelve year old boy, he goes for recreational swimming. Whizzoh!
Consider McMurphy and Mr. Keating, both characters are very similar in a multitude of ways. Neither of them is in charge as they are both under their respective antagonist, either being Nurse Ratched or Principle Nolan. However throughout the progression of each plot, they both teach and inspire either the patients or the students to become individuals. McMurphy gave the patients the ability to seize back the power from Nurse Ratched through showing them the way how, and teaching the patients that they are their own person and have their own rights. Mr. Keating teaches the students how to be outside the box, as shown when in class he strays from the regular methods of teaching and shows the students a truly out-of-the-box concept about life, “Carpe Diem.” Towards the final moments of the plot, both characters achieve a full commitment to their cause that eventuates in self-sacrifice. McMurphy is lobotomized and Mr. Keating is fired from Welton Academy. However similarly in both plots, after both characters sacrifices themselves they pass on what they have learned and allowed others to beat their struggle for independence. Chief leaves the institution and the students stand up against Principle Nolan with what they believe in. Weir and Kesey use these characters to inspire and support those who struggle for independence and use their characterization as a technique to do so.
Adolph Myers, a kind and gentle man "[ is] meant by nature to be a teacher of youth"(215), however, the towns' people can not understand that the male school teacher - a not so common phenomenon at the time--spoke soothingly with his hands and voice only to "carry a dream into the young minds" (215) of his students. The young school teacher was wrongfully accused of doing "unspeakable things" to his students, and as a result was beaten and run out of town without being given a chance to explain the his love for the children was pure, and that he had done nothing wrong. Therefore, as young Adolph Myers, whose only crime is of being a good and caring person runs out of Pennsylvania, old Wing Biddlebaum, the lonely and confused victim of a close-minded society walks into Winesburg Ohio.
...(43). The reader is draw to the wishes of Dr. Jekyll, each person wants to better themselves and each person finds themselves straying from the correct path in life. In trying to better mankind, Jekyll destroyed the decent man he was before.
...ed on him. He however goes back to previous ways for a while until he gets a job and finally realizes that he is grown up. This relates directly to society because we must all grow up and we are unable to do so until we realize it for ourselves.
Throughout life individuals face many challenges testing their values and personality one situation at a time. In the evocative novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton themes of growing up and innocence are shown. Ponyboy is not your average 14 year old he is part of a gang known to many as the Greasers. He encounters many situations testing his values and beliefs. Having lost both his parents recently he and his brothers stick together like a true family but this relationship is tested when Darry hits Ponyboy. He also experiences the loss several close friends in a very short period of time. Throughout this novel, Ponyboy encounters many life changing experiences that prove he is a dynamic character.
...This shows that the values of the two leaders, Ralph and Jack, impact a lot on the societies civilization and differ from one another.
Unger, G. E. (2001). Character development. Encyclopedia of American education. (Vol. 1, pp. 199-200). New York: Facts on File, Inc.