Mordecai Richler’s The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: a Novel of Evolution and Self-evaluation

Abstract

Mordecai Richler is one one of the important novelists of Canada who wrote about life and ambitions of Jews in Canada. Most of Richler’s work are set in Montreal during the 1940s and 1970s. The present paper on "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" captures the essence of the novel, highlighting its central themes and character development. It explores the coming-of-age narrative of a young, ambitious Jewish man who aspires to overcome his humble beginnings and achieve the material wealth and social standing that he believes will earn him respect and validation. Richler's novel offers a profound exploration of themes such as ambition, identity, class struggle, and the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition. Duddy's journey serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the consequences that can arise when one loses sight of their values and becomes consumed by the pursuit of personal gain. On a whole, this paper highlights the enduring relevance and timeless appeal of Richler's novel, as it explores universal themes and offers a distressing reflection on the human condition and the pursuit of the American Dream in a morally ambiguous world.