Argumentative Essay the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

A man must pursue his dreams. This is certainly true for everyone in humankind, for if there were no dreams, there would be no reason to live. Duddy Kravitz understands this perfectly, which is why he is one of the most ambitious young men of his time. From the moment he hears his grandfather say, â€Å"A man without land is nobody,†(44) he is prepared to seek the land of his dream, no matter what the cost would be. This ambition of his is very respectable, but unfortunately his methods are damnable.Duddy is a relentless pursuer, a formidable competitor but also a ruthless manipulator. It is true that he has obtained all the land that he desires at the end, but he succeeds through immoral, despicable and contemptible means. It is clear then, that Duddy has failed in his apprenticeship and has become the â€Å"scheming little bastard† that Uncle Benjy has warned him against. There is no doubt that Duddy is very shrewd and clever, but his lack of moral principles attribut es to his final failure. In fact, his immorality can be traced back to a very young age.During his study in the parochial school, he already earns money through methods that hardly comply with virtues of any kind. Taking advantage of the fact that minors cannot be sued in Canada, Duddy defrauds stamp companies and sells stolen hockey sticks. Perhaps he cannot distinguish right from wrong; perhaps he does not care, but nonetheless it is improper for him to engage himself into these kinds of activities. Duddy emerges himself deeper into the sea of corruption when he establishes Dudley Kane Enterprises.With his limited knowledge of movie making and his mistaken trust in John Friar, his firm produces bar-mitzvah films of extremely poor quality. The bar-mitzvah film for Mr. Cohen, for example, is obviously a failing product. â€Å"Duddy didn't say a word all through the screening but afterwards he was sick to his stomach,†(149). After the screening, Duddy says to Mr. Friar,  "I could sell Mr. Cohen a dead horse easier than this pile of —,†(149). However, realizing the obvious faultiness of the film, Duddy does not talk candidly to his client.Instead, he untruthfully says that the film is a phenomenal piece of art and that he is entering it into the Cannes Festival. By doing so, he deceives the Cohen family into buying the appalling bar-mitzvah film of Bernie. As a matter of fact, Kravitz is not only skilful in handling situations, but he is also very apt in manipulating people. This can be clearly seen in his relationships with Virgil and Yvette. Duddy is never loved in his family, so originally Duddy is quite content to know that there is someone who cares about him, Yvette.He finds great companionship in her and acquires a feeling of fulfillment in himself in her presence. But as time passes by, Yvette becomes nothing but a tool to him. He uses her as a medium through which he can buy the land that he lusts for; because he is a minor and he cannot legally own land, thus getting the deeds under her name. â€Å"The farmers would be wary of a young Jew, they might jack up prices or even refuse to sell, but another French-Canadian would not be suspect,†(99). Duddy also treats her as a sexual toy.He makes love with Yvette whenever he wants it, but he does not take Yvette's feelings into consideration: â€Å"Yvette wanted to wait, but Duddy insisted, and they made love on the carpet,†(193). He never pays any respect to Yvette and he does â€Å"he hasn’t the first notion of how to treat a woman,†(164). Not only does he use her sexually and financially but also mentally. Duddy has no love for Yvette, which is shown in various occasions, one being while having a conversation with his comrade. â€Å"Listen,† he said, â€Å"what kind of friend are you?You must know lots of nice Jewish girls in Outremont. Why don’t you ever fix me up? † â€Å"What about Yvette? † Bernie as ked, embarrassed. â€Å"Yvette? I could never marry her. She’s my Girl Friday,† (232). This shows how he has come to use Yvette as nothing but a tool, fooling her in making her believe that he actually loves her. With Virgil, Duddy takes advantage of his physical disabilities. After selling the pinball machines that Virgil brought him to ease his financial troubles, Duddy does not want to repay Virgil.Using the fact that Virgil is an epileptic and that it is very difficult for him to be hired, Duddy employs him as a driver But Duddy tells him that a truck would be necessary for the task, and that he can provide Virgil with the perfect vehicle for one thousand dollars, the exact amount that he owes Virgil, even though he is getting free of charge. Virgil is innocent enough not to know what is happening. Knowing this, Duddy doesn’t take into account that if Virgil encounters and accident, he can be sued for everything he has.He is also very grateful and flattered to know that Mr. Kravitz is willing to hire him. He accepts the job immediately, and thus, Duddy does not need to reimburse Virgil. It is quite ironic that Duddy, being such a good manipulator of people, is later being used by his Bohemian friends when they come to his apartment every night to party, eat and drink, all at Duddy's expense. After Duddy has engaged himself into all kinds of deceitful activities, he is bankrupt and is on the verge of a mental breakdown.At that point, Uncle Benjy's letter reveals to Duddy that he must make a very serious decision: â€Å"There's more to you than mere money-lust, Duddy, but I'm afraid for you. You're two people, that’s why. The scheming little bastard I saw so easily and the fine, intelligent boy underneath that your grandfather, bless him, saw. But you're coming of age soon and you'll have to choose. A boy can be two, three, four potential people, but a man is only one. He murders the others. † (287) Duddy must now choose th e way that he will live on for the rest of his life.He may continue on to live the way that he has always lived and be a complete amoral criminal, or he can abandon his money-lust and become a fine shrewd gentleman. The time has come for him to choose what is to become of him. But at this point, Duddy performs the most dirty, sickening and contemptible act in his apprenticeship. He forges Virgil's cheque in order to buy the final parcel of land: â€Å"Duddy took a quick look at Virgil's bank balance, whistled, noted his account number and ripped out two cheques. He forged the signature by holding the cheque and a letter Virgil had signed up to the window and tracing slowly,†(316).This is a clear indication that Duddy has chosen to become the inconsiderate â€Å"scheming little bastard†. He has murdered all the other good possibilities of himself. Duddy has obviously chosen the wrong kind of man to be. He has chosen to become a crooked person, a corrupted chap, and a ru thless man. Undoubtedly, Duddy is a very keen and intuitive young man. He can calmly and gracefully settle Lennie's problems with Mr. Calder. He can also tactfully and intelligently get Aunt Ida going back to Montreal to see the dying Uncle Benjy.Duddy has all the qualities that are needed for him to succeed in society; it is only a matter of time. Unfortunately, Duddy chooses the wrong path at a young age and continues on with that path to his adulthood. He ends up being a terrible failure. Perhaps his lack of discipline from his early years is one of the most important attributes to his tragic fall in The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. ID: 0014464 Argumentative Essay The Fail in the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz By: Anchal Joshi For: Ms. Tozzi Date: 11/11/2010

Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 25

Questions - Essay Example Nevertheless, it has lately been used in the making of E-Liquid for the electronic cigarettes, or the personal vaporizers.   Propylene glycol provides an exceptional combination of properties, such as not being readily reactive with some other substances. For a period of more than five decades, we find that it has been used in an extensive range of industrial and consumer applications, whereby it might be used as an agent of emulsification, humectant for the retaining of moisture or even solvent (LBERTY & SILBEY, 2009). Sodium acetate is the acetic acid’s sodium salt. There are several applications that sodium acetate are used. This is because it is a cost-effective chemical that can be used extensively. Some of its uses are application as picking agent and food addictive or even a laboratory reagent (PRESCOTT, 2006). In addition, it is a major ingredient in the portable, reusable heating packs that are

Peter browning and continental white cap case study Research Proposal

Peter browning and continental white cap case study - Research Proposal Example Continental Whitecap is in the verge of making a life changing decision that would determine the possibility of its survival in the market and sustain its operation costs without serious financial constraints. This can only be achieved by the new management head if wide consultative based researched is carried out and all facts are laid bare on the table for discussion (Paton & Mccalman, 2007, 76-80). However, it is important to underscore the sensitivity of cost and revenue factors in discussing the success of a firm. This will be judged by critical consideration of various change management models and approaches to change. For the new management to achieve desirable goals for this multinational, strategic planning must be backed up with a critically assessed implementation procedure under strict observance of the principles of competitive tools. In the case of Continental Can’s division, the factor input combination need to be readjusted to capture the changes in the type of the containers that need to be manufactured. The management team needs to put up a strategic plan with a tight link to identification and management of a competitive and success oriented design to the organization. The idea is that most of these processes need to be internally centered and assist this division of Continental Whitecap acquiring commitment to effective change and improve on productivity with the least degree of difficulty. There are various models and frameworks that can be used to establish the most appropriate performance strategy for this company amidst the tight competition in the industry (Abrahamson, 2004, 42-55). The preferable model is Kurt Lewin’s classical model which is basically reliant on three concepts. Communication is one of the most important factors that the management needs to use for co-ordination of various activities and sense any impending risk. Internal

Newspaper article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Newspaper article - Essay Example Interruptions in the flow of trade in the area would have a grave impact on international economic activity, endangering the norms which have secured relatively peaceful relations in the region. In November of 2013, the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation gathered policy experts to discuss the overlapping claims in the South China Sea and consider the impact of US policy in the area (Schwartz, 2014). The participants pointed out the relevance of gathering more data to establish the features of the South China Sea, and therefore settle the issues of these overlapping claims. The NBR also assessed the implications of the US decision not to support the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in relation to options in supporting the favorable results for the disputes (Schwartz, 2014). In relation to US impact in Asia, it must seek to reduce the possibility of conflict in the region by securing support for the rule of law and ensuring peaceful resolution of conflicting claims. There are about 100 territorial features which have been recognized in the South China Sea and since problems of sovereignty impact all the countries which have the right to exploit the possible beneficial resources for each feature, the stakes are high (Beckman and Schofield, 2014). The UNCLOS where all parties are members indicate the international standard in establishing ownership of the territorial waters as well as the exclusive economic zones using coastline qualities and related features. There are different features to be considered in this case: islands, low-tide elevations, rocks, submerged features, and artificial islands (Beckman and Schofield, 2014). Such features are identified based on their status during high and low tides, including their ability to support human or economic exploitation. Other features indicate various territorial benefits, including territorial

Annoted Bibliography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Annoted Bibliography - Essay Example Napoleon asserts his leadership after the animals capture the farm from its former cruel owner, Mr. Jones. However, the satire of this novel is centered upon the pigs’ tyranny over the other animals. The novel is the basis of the famous idiom â€Å"all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others†. The novel was inspired by George’s experiences of communist behavior in Russia during the Spanish Civil War; it is a tale of the communist revolution in Russia. The novel addresses not only the corruption in leadership, but also the ignorance of the people; it exemplifies corruption and wickedness as the vice in rebellion, and not the actual deed of rebellion. This novel is dubbed the best analogy of political satire in the mid twentieth century as it exemplifies the gullibility of subjects and the dictatorship of leaders in contrast to the ideal society where all people are equal. Steadman, R. (1996) George Orwell: Animal Farm (50th Anniversary edition). USA : Signet Classics This variation of the original Animal Farm was done by Ralph Steadman to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the literary work. In the rendition, Steadman introduces some of Orwell’s proposed inclusion in the novel. ... Steadman exemplifies Orwell’s satirical outlook on the rebellion in animal farm which is a symbol of the rebellion against corruption and tyranny all around the world. This edition includes Orwell’s additions during a press interview, which were ignored in the previous edition. Moreover, Steadman analyses Orwell’s explicit fable of a browbeaten and overworked society and their pursuance of justice and equality. The author shows that such a paradise is feasible in the mind, but actual fulfillment is deterred by greed and corruption. The text illustrates the rise and gory fall of revolutionary animals and appreciates the abolitionism in most, if not all, societies by poking fun at the leaders and oppressors while at the same time drawing attention to the idealism they create but do not endorse. Secondary Sources Lake, P. (2010). The  Animal Farm  of the 21st Century. Arkansas: Arkansas Tech University. In March 2010, Paul Lake gave a lecture on George Orwellâ⠂¬â„¢s novels at the Arkansas Tech University and cited Animal Farm as Orwell’s book as the greatest allegory of the society. Lake associated the novel to the modern society as tyranny and corruption are witnessed on a daily basis. Lake, who is the author of Cry Wolf, drew attention to Orwell’s depiction of the down trodden members of society whose desire for a better future is unwavering. Lake exemplifies the twenty first century society as a modern animal farm where although the down trodden continue to suffer and be overworked for the benefit of a few; they still consider the leadership as upright and effective. He spoke of the ideal twenty first society as one which upholds all individual’s rights to expression and freedom from oppressive or slave driven rule. His talk seeks to educate on

Gender and Consumption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gender and Consumption - Essay Example 346). This is what drove gender consumption in the modern era- men were men, and women were women. A mans identity used to be dependent upon his role as a provider and his place of employment this has been the traditional way that has defined the essence of the male identity in the modern society. This is known as the Ã¥ ¡â€"egemonic gender identity(Vigorito & Curry, 1998, p. 137). Moreover, male consumption patterns were not just influenced by the hegemonic gender identity, but, in the post-Civil War era, were influenced by the Puritans (Bocock, 2000, p. 6). The Puritans had an ethic of asceticism, with not too much money spent upon men and boys, and the housing was sparse and not elaborate. The Puritan ethic dictated that British men during this period not spend money on jewelry, fine clothing and eating and drinking well, and these patterns were not economically driven (Bocock, 2000, p. 8). This morphed into contemporary society, in which, it is argued, Henry Ford is responsible for the increase in consumption, for he pioneered the idea that workers should be paid well, which led to more disposable income and, thus, more consumption (Gabriel & Yang, 1995, p. 9). In advanced capitalist societies, Ford made consumption more egalitarian, and less the province of the rich (Gabriel & Yang, 1995, p. 10). Moreover, modern consumption is also driven by the choices that were being offered in modern society, choices that were not offered in earlier societies, before mass production of goods became the norm (Gabriel & Yang, 1995, p. 11). This is illustrated by the British consumption of food as a percentage of their expenditures in the early 20th century, British families spent between one half and two thirds of their income on food; by the middle of the twentieth century, this number was only one third (Gabriel & Yang, 1995, p. 12). This mass production had a side effect as well, one that would influence the post-modern

Financial Statement Review Essay Example for Free

Financial Statement Review Essay What is the net income for the current fiscal year? Is it up or down from the prior year? Why would this information be important to investors? The total consolidated net income for Fiscal Year 2015 is $17,099 million dollars. This is amount is up from the previous Fiscal Year (2014) which had a consolidated net income of $16,695 million dollars. This information can be found on page 38 of the Walmart 2015 Annual Report. This information would be of importance to investors because it indicates whether the company is prospering financially and generating revenue. What is the ending balance in stockholders’ equity? Why would a labor union potentially be interested in this information? The ending balance in stockholders’ equity is $323 million dollars. This information can be found on page 40 of the Annual Report. This information would be of potential interest to a labor union because it provides information that could be used in determining labor rates, work salaries, and employee benefits. What is the total value of assets? Why would this information be important to a potential creditor? The total values of assets is $101,381 million dollars which can be found on page 60 of the Annual Report. This information would be of importance to a potential creditor because it provides an indication of whether the company would be able to repay any accumulated debt. It also provides a picture of how liquid those assets might be. What is the total cash flow from operation? The total cash flow from operations is $17,099 million dollars which can be found on page 41 of the Annual Report. What financial statement user would find this information most important?