The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: Part 3, Chapter 1

            The typescript included in this exhibit pertains to the opening section of Part 3, Chapter 1 of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler. In this section of the novel, Duddy is enjoying the autonomy obtained from his professional successes: he is living independently with Yvette and Virgil, and broadening his horizons by expanding his social circle. Pages 223-227 of the typescript highlight the subtle changes in characterization that Richler made to the finalized version of the text. Details on Virgil’s characterization are removed from the published text, the most notable of which are the omissions of Virgil’s poem (p 223) and his statement that Duddy "could…write better poetry” than him (p 227a). The effect of these omissions is that Virgil’s poetic capabilities are obscured in the published text, while the typescript suggests Virgil’s abilities to be rather humble. Duddy also makes a rendezvous with his classmate Hersh, who used to be “Rabinovitch” in the typescript. Rabinovitch, a “lanky young man with a long wobbly head,” (p 224) is a painter, while Hersh, a “big chunky man with a long severe head,” is a writer. Rabinovitch is also portrayed to be rather sensitive, apologizing to Duddy for his hostility during their initial meeting in this section (p 226). Through Hersh, with his severe appearance and his occupation as a writer, Richler comments on the commercialization of the writing industry in the published text. In the typescript, Duddy is discussing poetry in the company of bohemians, and states that he enjoys the work of E. E. Cummings, “the guy who doesn’t use capitals” (p 225). Duddy mentions his poem “i sing of olaf”, and instead recites an American patriotic song in an offhand, erroneous manner (p 225). With the omission of this scene, Richler obscures Duddy’s rather superficial and pseudo-intellectual air. In the typescript, Duddy’s vulnerability is revealed when he “blushed” at Yvette’s scrutiny of his purchase of Blum’s book of poetry (p 226). When observing Duddy making plans for developing the lake, Yvette sympathizes with him, thinking “poor Duddy” (p 226). These instances are removed from the published text, with the effect that the relationship between Duddy and Yvette is less balanced; Duddy’s dominance in their relationship is emphasized. Duddy’s attempt to justify the scrap deal with Cohen to Mr. Calder, which is hand-written on the final page of this typescript (p 227b), was finalized in the published novel. In this scene, Duddy attempts to impress upon Mr. Calder the personal inconvenience that he is enduring in order to save the latter’s reputation in the Jewish community, when in fact, Duddy is benefiting from a commission. The addition of this scene serves to highlight Duddy’s manipulative nature.