Personality in Mordecai Richler's The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Personality in Mordecai Richler's The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Each person has a distinct, identifiable personality. These personalities are the basis of who we are and how we live our lives. Growing up, these personalities are formed through associations and manipulations of the personalities of others. This is clearly evident in Mordecai Richler's The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. In this novel, we follow Duddy Kravitz's life from early adolescence to adulthood. Throughout the novel, signs are given as to the development of Duddy's good and bad personalities. Even at the early stages, Duddy's uncle Benjy was the only one who could identify them and knew what the end result was going to be. Despite all this, we watch these personalities grow to the point where they are beginning to overpower each other and eventually, only one will remain.

As a young student, Duddy began his life by making friends and increasing his status. This can been seen when he demonstrates himself as a person who opposes authority. This gives him the look of a bold, daring individual; someone who should be looked up to and respected. Duddy's charisma also came from made up stories that were used to spark other people's interests in Duddy. This is evident when he refers to his brother "Bradley"; "He's going to take me to South America. We're going to get a yacht. I mean all he has to do once he's out is dig up that buried money and —". Duddy tells these stories as if they were real just as the way his father Max does at the local coffee shop on St. Urbain Street. Max on the other hand, tells stories of the infamous "Boy Wonder" Jerry Dingleman who is a local legend amongst the people living on St. Urbain Street. Despite these stories not being real, Duddy uses them to help him manipulate others into believing what he wants them too. This becomes an invaluable asset as Duddy leaves school and begins to set out on his own.

Aside from Max being a major influence on Duddy, Simcha Kravitz, Duddy's grandfather was another major influence on him. Unlike Max or Duddy, Simcha was genuinely respected. He did not have to create elaborate stories to captivate and intrigue the minds of his listeners in order to gain their respect. He acted properly in the community and was eventually known as "a man of singular honesty and some wisdom".