Success & Morality

Macpherson tries to teach, without success, he acknowledges that Duddy's outlandish ways and immoral conduct will probably bring him much material success. At one point Mr. Macpherson says "You"ll go far Kravitz, you are going to go very far"(40). Here is the first sign that Duddy has the potential to abandon his historic family morals, taught to him by Simcha, his Grandfather, in favor of gaining wealth and popularity in the community. At this point in the story, Duddy still holds his Father, his Grandfather, and his Uncle in high regard and still has some respect for his religious traditions but he is beginning to misunderstand his grandfather's advice and statement that "A man without land is nobody" (48). The Grandfather truly means that this must be done while maintaining a high moral standard, but Duddy does not understand this. While Duddy's behavior is poor at this point, it is often justified by Max with the excuse "boys will be boys." This also reveals that the character of Max has lost his moral strength over the years through poverty and loneliness. Max himself is unable to maintain the high moral ethics that Simcha wants his family to maintain and he even idolizes Jerry Dingleman, the Boy Wonder who is really an unethical crook. Amazingly, Max holds this man out as a mentor to his son Duddy.
             As life progresses for Duddy, he acquires two very dedicated friends. Both Virgil, and Evette play very important roles in the novel. First because both characters have high moral standards, it emphasizes the slow but sure destruction of Duddy's moral character. Evette begins her relationship with Duddy and is fully supportive of his desire to acquire the land around the beautiful lake. She cooperates fully with him and appears to truly love Duddy. Later, as Duddy does more and more unethical things, he loses her love and respect and ends up living alone. The last straw for Evette is when Duddy steals money from Virgil's bank account.