The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

In the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Mordecai Richler clearly intends to portray his main character as a failure. Duddy understands perfectly well that a man must pursue his dreams, which is why he is one of the most motivated young man of his time. From the moment Duddy hears his grandfather say, "A man without land is nobody,” he is prepared to seek the land of his dreams. This aspiration of Duddy’s is very respectable, but unfortunately his methods are totally inappropriate, and that leads to him being a failure.

The moment that Duddy began to immerse himself into the establishment of his film company, it could be seen that he was willing to do anything to get money, even if he had to lie. For example, the film Duddy made for the bar mitzvah was of extremely poor quality, and as a result, the product was an obvious failure. Duddy himself knew that well: “Duddy didn’t say a word all though the screening but afterwards he was sick to his stomach.” (Page 148). Later, Duddy said to Mr. Friar: “I could sell Mr. Cohn a dead horse easier then this pile of _” (page 148). After this particular incident, Duddy does not even speak honestly to his clients. In conclusion, the only way Duddy sells his waste films is by telling lies. He always lies to gain money, and that’s all that Duddy cares about.

Duddy has never been loved in his family, so originally he was quite content to know that Yvette cares about him. At the beginning, Yvette and Duddy are in love.

“It’s so nice to see you lie still for once, she said.

Your always running or jumping or scratching.

Duddy was surprised and flattered to discover that

anyone cared enough to watch him so closely.” (Page 92)

As time passed by, however, Duddy began to use Yvette as a tool. The main reason for that is Duddy was striving to get the land, and since he could not legally own it as a minor, he employed Yvette to act as a figurehead in his purchase. This treatment of Yvette, combined with her breaking ties with her family due to Duddy being a Jew, is what ruins their relationship.