The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Duddy’s cultural identity plays a larger role in his life than he often lets on. Though he is separated by socioeconomic barriers from some members of the local Jewish community, when Duddy is trying to make deals and forge alliances, it becomes clear to him that he is really trusted only by other Jewish businessmen. Some, such as Mr. Cohen, tell Duddy that this is for the best and that Duddy should focus on serving the Jewish community and only the Jewish community. Mr. Cohen suggests that Duddy view other contacts, such as Hugh Calder, with suspicion because society is rife with unspoken anti-Semitism. Though Duddy disagrees with Mr. Cohen initially, he does come to see that he and Calder are separated by cultural norms and that he is being looked down upon. Duddy is also attuned to the ways in which his non-Jewish peers stereotype him and his entrepreneurial efforts; for instance, he feels he must be cautious when attempting to buy his desired land because he fears the sellers may mark up the price if they know he is Jewish.