The+Apprenticeship+of+Duddy+Kravitz+by+Mordecai+Richler

=[|The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz]= By Mordecai Richler


 * READING GROUP GUIDE **
 * DISCUSSION QUESTIONS **


 *  1. Discuss what being an apprentice means. What was the "apprenticeship" of Duddy Kravitz? What was he learning about? **


 *  2. Who are Duddy's primary masters or teachers? What does he learn from each one? **


 *  3. The motivations for behavior are complex, but if you were to pick out one primary motivator of Duddy's actions, what would it be? **


 *  4. What does Duddy have against MacPherson? How do you feel about what happens between them? **


 *  5. The Jewish immigrant experience is one theme in this book. We see three generations of the Kravitz family. How are each of their experiences different or the same? **


 *  6. In your opinion, what is the worst thing that Duddy does? How does he rationalize his actions? **


 *  7. Duddy is a scoundrel, but what about his character makes him likable? And although he is often bad, he is never truly evil. What is the difference? **


 *  8. Richler has been called a regional writer. How important is it that this book is set in Montreal, Canada? **


 *  9. Richler was criticized for presenting negative Jewish stereotypes in this book. Do you think the criticism was justified? How does he portray Dingleman? Uncle Benjy? Auntie Ida? Cohen? **


 *  10. Richler is a great satirist, one of the finest of our time. What aspects of society does he attack most? **


 *  11. This book is also about the importance of family. How important is family to Duddy, and how do you know? **

- See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/The-Apprenticeship-Of-Duddy-Kravitz/Mordecai-Richler/9780671028473/reading_group_guide#sthash.rPQq9Viu.dpuf
 *  12. The book has a masterful ending. Discuss the last scene, and its irony. How does it pull the events of the book together? **

=Duddy Kravitz= One of the first things you will notice in the novel is the use of Yiddish vocabulary. Here are two links to help you figure out some common terminology.

The Yiddish Handbook

Jewish Dictionary

This plot summary, from Studyworld.com, is a good overview of the story. (It won't earn you essay marks though!)

Here is a biography of //Duddy //'s author, Mordecai Richler, an accomplished Quebec-Canadian author. It may give you an idea of theme, and use of setting.

Here is a good historical account of Jewish persecution, a theme that is conveyed throughout //<span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz //.


 * <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; font-size: 19.3333px;">Chapter Questions **

Part 1, Chapter 1
 * 1) What attitudes and exposition are provided by Mr. MacPherson?
 * 2) What do we learn about Duddy Kravitz in Chapter 1?

Part 1, Chapter 2
 * 1) Why does this chapter focus on Mr. MacPherson? How might his character be similar to or different than Duddy?

Part 1, Chapter 3
 * 1) Describe Duddy’s home life.
 * 2) Compare and contrast this life to what you know of him around his schoolmates.
 * 3) What is Duddy’s attitude towards Jane Cox? Why does he get defensive when he is caught reading one of her books?
 * 4) Summarize what you learn about Max Kravitz, Duddy’s father.
 * 5) What additional information does Max reveal about Duddy and his family?
 * 6) Who is the Boy Wonder?

Part 1, Chapter 4
 * 1) Why does the story switch back to Mr. MacPherson?

Part 1, Chapter 5
 * 1) Duddy lacks sympathy for Mac in this chapter. By pushing Mac’s patience, what is the result?

Part 1, Chapter 6 & 7
 * 1) How does Duddy bring about Mr. MacPherson’s downfall in these two chapters?
 * 2) With Fletcher’s Cadets we get a tour of the St. Urbaine neighbourhood. Explain how this creates a sense of place that is important in establishing the setting and social background.
 * 3) List some of the historical events alluded to. When did they take place?
 * 4) What is funny about this parade? What makes it funny?

Part 1, Chapter 8
 * 1) Explain the effectiveness of the first simile of this chapter.
 * 2) Why do some people idolize Simcha, while others resent him?
 * 3) What is the importance of the description of the Kravitz family relationships?
 * 4) How is Duddy’s character further developed by the end of this chapter?

Part 1, Chapter 9
 * 1) What qualities does Duddy demonstrate at the parochial school?
 * 2) Who are the Warriors? How is Duddy as a leader?
 * 3) What was going on in the world while Duddy was at parochial school?

Part 1, Chapter 10
 * 1) Did Duddy’s entrepreneurial activities shape him OR did he shape his activities? Explain.
 * 2) Discuss Duddy’s performance in his first real job. How did that affect how Uncle Benjy felt about him?
 * 3) What is significant about the last couple of paragraphs of this chapter?

Response Journal (To hand in):

Is Duddy naive or street-wise? Justify your answer.

Part 2, Chapter 1
 * 1) How does Max think differently about his sons, as referenced at the beginning of this chapter?
 * 2) What is ironic about Lennie’s requested favour of Duddy?
 * 3) Describe Simcha’s reaction to Duddy’s announcement.
 * 4) Why do you think Max reacts the way he does to Duddy’s request to see the Boy Wonder?

Part 2, Chapter 2
 * 1) What are Duddy’s schemes to raise money to buy his land?
 * 2) Would you hire Friar? Explain your answer with evidence from the text.
 * 3) How does Duddy behave more like an adult as he gets to know Friar?
 * 4) Describe the relationship between Duddy and Yvette.
 * 5) Who controls the business deal between Duddy and Mr. Cohen? Explain.
 * 6) Is Duddy a good business manager, or not?

Part 2, Chapter 3
 * 1) Who is in trouble in Chapter 3?
 * 2) What do we learn about Duddy’s mother in this chapter?
 * 3) What promise does Duddy have to make at the end of the chapter? Why?

Part 2, Chapter 4
 * 1) List what you learn about the Boy Wonder.
 * 2) Why is Duddy disillusioned by the Boy Wonder?
 * 3) Why do you think he decides to send for Duddy, in the end?

Part 2, Chapter 5
 * 1) How does Duddy’s encounter with the Boy Wonder change how Duddy feels about Max?
 * 2) What evidence is there that Duddy is more naïve than he would admit?

Part 2, Chapter 6
 * 1) What evidence is there that times have changed for the Jewish faith?
 * 2) How does Duddy demonstrate maturation in his business skills with Mr. Cohen? Is it a wise move or a stupid one?

Part 2, Chapter 7
 * 1) Describe some of the family relationship revealed in this chapter.
 * 2) Why is Yvette angry with Duddy? Does he know why?
 * 3) Describe some of the family relationship revealed in this chapter.
 * 4) Why is Yvette angry with Duddy? Does he know why?

Part 2, Chapter 8
 * 1) What is revealed about class and religion at McGill?
 * 2) How is Lennie’s life different than his family believed it to be?
 * 3) Why doesn’t Duddy fill his father or Benjy in on what he finds out about Lennie?

Part 2, Chapter 9
 * 1) What is revealed about class and religion at McGill?
 * 2) How is Lennie’s life different than his family believed it to be?
 * 3) Why doesn’t Duddy fill his father or Benjy in on what he finds out about Lennie?

Part 2, Chapter 10
 * 1) What nasty truths come from Lennie’s mouth in this chapter?
 * 2) Why is Lennie so easily conned? Why isn’t Duddy easily conned now?
 * 3) What difference comes out between Yvette and Duddy?
 * 4) How do you feel about Duddy getting even with Irwin?

Part 2, Chapter 11
 * 1) Why is there such a detailed description of Hugh Thomas Calder?
 * 2) Why do Duddy and Calder get along so well? Would Calder get along as well with Lennie?

Part 2, Chapter 12 & 13
 * 1) Is Duddy heading for trouble or success? Explain your answer with evidence from the text.
 * 2) Duddy’s morals have been shady. What puts him into the completely black category now?


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">Find at least two examples from Part 1 and Part 2 that support each theme in the novel: **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">insiders/outsiders **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">success/failure **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">loyalty/betrayal **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">acceptance/rejection **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">guilt/forgiveness **

Part 3, Chapter 1
 * 1) What are Duddy’s successes and failures up to the end of Part 3, Ch. 1?
 * 2) What has made Duddy successful? What has caused him to fail?
 * 3) What is the importance of the change in relationship between Duddy and Hugh Thomas Calder?
 * 4) Why won’t Duddy marry Yvette?
 * 5) Why do you think Duddy goes to see Simcha about Benjy? Why is it hard for Duddy to learn that his uncle is dying?

Part 3, Chapter 2
 * 1) What do we learn about the relationship between Benjy and Aunt Ida when Duddy goes to see Ida in New York?
 * 2) What information do we learn about Duddy and Benjy’s relationship when Duddy is summoned to visit Benjy?

Part 3, Chapter 3
 * 1) What is Duddy’s first reaction to Virgil’s accident?
 * 2) What is his next reaction? What does this show us about Duddy?
 * 3) What is behind Duddy and Yvette’s fight?
 * 4) Why is Duddy so angry by the end of the chapter?

Part 3, Chapter 4
 * 1) What happens to Duddy in Chapter 4?
 * 2) What is the significance of Duddy’s dreams?
 * 3) What do we learn through Duddy’s conversation with Hersh?

Part 3, Chapter 5
 * 1) What does Mr. Cohen reveal about himself? How is this advice for Duddy?
 * 2) Mr. Cohen describes Duddy’s character. What does he say?
 * 3) How does Duddy’s father react to his breakdown?

Part 3, Chapter 7
 * 1) Why does Duddy go to visit Yvette and Virgil?
 * 2) What is the significance of Duddy sleeping so much?
 * 3) What is Benjy’s letter to Duddy about?
 * 4) Duddy tells Yvette he is not interested in buying the rest of the land. Why?
 * 5) At the end of the chapter he changes his mind. Why?

Part 4, Chapter 1
 * 1) How does Duddy’s conversation with the Boy Wonder/Dingleman seem both naïve and street smart at the same time?
 * 2) What is the significance of Duddy resorting to Ida for a loan?
 * 3) What is important in the difference between Max’s response and Duddy’s comment about the Boy Wonder’s court case?
 * 4) How does Max’s reaction to Duddy’s need for money support Simcha’s view of Max?
 * 5) How desperate is Duddy for the money? What does he contemplate doing to get the money?
 * 6) Comment on how Duddy treats Virgil. What does he do? What effect does this have on your opinion of Duddy’s character?

Part 4, Chapter 2
 * 1) Why are Max and Lennie so sarcastic with Duddy?
 * 2) How does the meeting with the Boy Wonder show the difference in street smarts between Max and Duddy?
 * 3) Dingleman tells us more about Simcha than Duddy himself knew. If Dingleman is right, why does Simcha return to the car?
 * 4) Max and Lennie fail to see the importance and reason behind Duddy’s rudeness to the Boy Wonder. Why?
 * 5) Why does Simcha stop talking to Duddy?
 * 6) Why did Yvette go to see Duddy’s zeyda?
 * 7) Why does Duddy suddenly change in spirit at the end of the chapter?


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">Find at least two examples from each of Part 3 and Part 4 that support each theme in the novel: **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">insiders/outsiders **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">success/failure **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">loyalty/betrayal **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">acceptance/rejection **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;">guilt/forgiveness **

1. What does being an apprentice means. What was the "apprenticeship" of Duddy Kravitz? What was he learning about?

2. Who are Duddy's primary masters or teachers? What does he learn from each one?

3. The Jewish immigrant experience is one theme in this book. We see three generations of the Kravitz family. How are each of their experiences different or the same?

4. Duddy is a scoundrel, but what about his character makes him likable? And although he is often bad, he is never truly evil. What is the difference?

5. The Jewish immigrant experience is one theme in this book. We see three generations of the Kravitz family. How are each of their experiences different or the same?

6. Richler was criticized for presenting negative Jewish stereotypes in this book. Do you think the criticism was justified? How does he portray Dingleman? Uncle Benjy? Auntie Ida? Cohen?

7. Richler is a great satirist, one of the finest of our time. What aspects of society does he attack most?

8. This book is also about the importance of family. How important is family to Duddy, and how do you know?

9. The book has a masterful ending. Discuss the last scene, and its irony. How does it pull the events of the book together?