The Tin FLute and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
The authors of both The Tin Flute and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz present two very different stories with two very similar characters. Duddy Kravitz and Jean Lévesque are extremely hard working, driven characters. As a result of Duddy’s grandfather’s advice, “a man without land is nobody” , he has entirely devoted his life to the ultimate goal of acquiring land. Jean’s childhood memories as an orphan and being engulfed by the state of poverty, consequently, instigated Jean to become a successful and wealthy man. These two young men share many qualities but try to achieve their goals in highly dissimilar manners. To purchase the land that Duddy has in mind, money is essential. Duddy uses people to his advantage consistently throughout the novel, regardless of the person in question. He is dependent on other people as well and has little difficulty asking people for financial aid. Kravitz’s desperate attitude and insane working hours ultimately lead to his mental breakdown. However, Jean devoted himself solely to his work and school and did not permit himself to become distracted. Contrary to Duddy, Jean is very independent and needs little help from others along the way. Even though Duddy and Jean
As Duddy became closer and closer to possessing this piece of land, he became more aggressive and desperate for money. “It took three days of lies, threats, pandering, cajoling, insult and the ultimate appeal to avarice to sell the pinball machines, but sell them he did.” Duddy even gave Virgil, an epileptic, the position of driving a vehicle for him. “I’ve seen you do lots of dishonest things, Duddy, but never in my life did I expect you to cheat a boy like Virgil.” As a result, Virgil had a seizure while driving, which caused him to be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. As a consequence of Duddy’s actions, Yvette discontinued their relationship. “[Virgil and I] don’t want to see you again Duddy. Ever, I mean.” By constantly focusing on his land, creating false relationships, and swindling several people, Duddy acquired the land that he had craved for so long, but simultaneously drove away the people who were closest to him. Furthermore, Jean never took advantage or deceived anyone to improve his situation. Unlike Duddy, who did this constantly, and who depended on several people to help him, Jean worked hard by himself, studying and working at the Montreal Metal Works as a machinist where he eventually became the boss of his department. “Head of his department! That was a good start…” In contrast to Duddy, Jean was extremely patient with his work and never became so stressed about reaching his goal that he had a mental break down. “I’ll show them some day… A few more years and he would have his engineer’s degree. Then, if they had been too stupid to see what he was worth, they would get an eyeful. They’d see that Jean Lévesque was somebody.” Unlike Duddy, Jean achieved his goal independently, by avoiding all possible distractions, and by attaining it in an acceptable manner. Additionally, unlike Duddy’s habit of cr
Some topics in this essay:
Duddy Jean,
Girl Friday”,
Jean Lévesque,
Duddy Virgil,
Five Ten,
Jean’s Jean,
Duddy Kravitz,
Jean Lévesque’s,
Unlike Duddy,
Montreal Metal,
duddy jean,
land duddy,
duddy kravitz,
“a land nobody”,
“a land,
unlike duddy,
feel good”,
land nobody”,
purchase land,
reach goal,
jean lévesque,
purchase land duddy,
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Approximate Word count = 1281
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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