Duddel (Duddy) Kravitz
Duddy Kravitz is the novel's central character. The novel revolves around his actions, his ideas, and his thoughts. Duddy's personal morals end up getting him in trouble at times, but his commitment and drive ultimately end up in success. At least, it's success in his eyes; to those around him, Duddy didn't necessarily achieve his success in a great way.
Duddy was raised in a poor community in Montreal, Quebec. He was constantly fighting the odds; it was rare for anyone in his community to climb the ladder to true success. Duddy sees his goals become reality by coming up with a combination of both trickery and intelligence. While he starts the novel as an immature troublemaker, he matures into a man with passion as the novel progresses.
Leonard (Lennie) Kravitz
Lennie Kravitz is Duddy's older brother. He acts as an influential role model for Duddy, but not just because he's a hardworking student. Lennie also shows Duddy what not to become. That is, Lennie's a person who works so hard to impress that he never really becomes satisfied with the life he's living. Lennie's studying and going to school because that's what his family expects and desires of him. The reader eventually finds out that Lennie's not truly happy reading books and writing reports. Duddy was never an academic himself, but Lennie serves as an example of of someone who has trouble finding the balance between working hard and taking time to be his own person.
Max Kravitz
The father of both Duddy and Lennie, Max Kravitz is one of the men who inspire Duddy to work hard to achieve his goals. Max is very proud of Lennie for being a scholar and going to medical school, but he also supports Duddy, who wants to live life by his own rules. Max is always there to support his sons, and is never shy to show them off to complete strangers when they find success. Though he can sometimes seem like a father who doesn't do his best to support his children, Max cares deep down, and is willing to do anything to make his sons happy.
Yvette Durelle
Yvette is the character who attempts to prevent Duddy's head from exploding. As Duddy finds more and more success, his ego starts to go through the roof. It's Yvette who tries to keep his feet on the ground, and she does a fairly good job in doing so. Duddy eventually ends up breaking Yvette's heart; the two of them were just simply never alike. Yvette wishes Duddy could do a better job in showing how much he cares for her. She desires his love and time, but Duddy's more interested in seeking fame and fortune than he is love. Yvette acts as a caretaker for both Duddy and Virgil, and that's exactly why she could never be more than a useful friend to Duddy.
Virgil Roseboro
An epileptic, Virgil is one of Duddy's biggest admirers. Duddy ends up taking advantage of Virgil when he's in need of some financial assistance. Considering how Virgil looks up to Duddy, Virgil's willing to anything he can to help Duddy. Yvette convinces Virgil to not give in to Duddy's demands, but Virgil finds it very difficult to do. Virgil seeks to help anyone who's willing to give him attention; all his life he's been an outsider because of his disorder. Duddy was willing to give him a chance, and Virgil will never forget that, no matter how much Duddy tries to take advantage of him.
Jerry Dingleman
Also known as the "Boy Wonder", Jerry Dingleman is Duddy's role model. As a child, Duddy grew to worship this man he had never met in person. Max had made Duddy believe that Dingleman was who Duddy should become, that this "Boy Wonder" was a perfect role model. Legend was that Dingleman had worked his way off the streets of Montreal, off the same street Duddy was raised on, and become a successful businessman. In reality, Dingleman is an unforgiving man will do anything to get what what he wants. That's not the man Duddy grew up idolizing. However, it ends up being the man Duddy becomes.
Duddy Kravitz is the novel's central character. The novel revolves around his actions, his ideas, and his thoughts. Duddy's personal morals end up getting him in trouble at times, but his commitment and drive ultimately end up in success. At least, it's success in his eyes; to those around him, Duddy didn't necessarily achieve his success in a great way.
Duddy was raised in a poor community in Montreal, Quebec. He was constantly fighting the odds; it was rare for anyone in his community to climb the ladder to true success. Duddy sees his goals become reality by coming up with a combination of both trickery and intelligence. While he starts the novel as an immature troublemaker, he matures into a man with passion as the novel progresses.
Leonard (Lennie) Kravitz
Lennie Kravitz is Duddy's older brother. He acts as an influential role model for Duddy, but not just because he's a hardworking student. Lennie also shows Duddy what not to become. That is, Lennie's a person who works so hard to impress that he never really becomes satisfied with the life he's living. Lennie's studying and going to school because that's what his family expects and desires of him. The reader eventually finds out that Lennie's not truly happy reading books and writing reports. Duddy was never an academic himself, but Lennie serves as an example of of someone who has trouble finding the balance between working hard and taking time to be his own person.
Max Kravitz
The father of both Duddy and Lennie, Max Kravitz is one of the men who inspire Duddy to work hard to achieve his goals. Max is very proud of Lennie for being a scholar and going to medical school, but he also supports Duddy, who wants to live life by his own rules. Max is always there to support his sons, and is never shy to show them off to complete strangers when they find success. Though he can sometimes seem like a father who doesn't do his best to support his children, Max cares deep down, and is willing to do anything to make his sons happy.
Yvette Durelle
Yvette is the character who attempts to prevent Duddy's head from exploding. As Duddy finds more and more success, his ego starts to go through the roof. It's Yvette who tries to keep his feet on the ground, and she does a fairly good job in doing so. Duddy eventually ends up breaking Yvette's heart; the two of them were just simply never alike. Yvette wishes Duddy could do a better job in showing how much he cares for her. She desires his love and time, but Duddy's more interested in seeking fame and fortune than he is love. Yvette acts as a caretaker for both Duddy and Virgil, and that's exactly why she could never be more than a useful friend to Duddy.
Virgil Roseboro
An epileptic, Virgil is one of Duddy's biggest admirers. Duddy ends up taking advantage of Virgil when he's in need of some financial assistance. Considering how Virgil looks up to Duddy, Virgil's willing to anything he can to help Duddy. Yvette convinces Virgil to not give in to Duddy's demands, but Virgil finds it very difficult to do. Virgil seeks to help anyone who's willing to give him attention; all his life he's been an outsider because of his disorder. Duddy was willing to give him a chance, and Virgil will never forget that, no matter how much Duddy tries to take advantage of him.
Jerry Dingleman
Also known as the "Boy Wonder", Jerry Dingleman is Duddy's role model. As a child, Duddy grew to worship this man he had never met in person. Max had made Duddy believe that Dingleman was who Duddy should become, that this "Boy Wonder" was a perfect role model. Legend was that Dingleman had worked his way off the streets of Montreal, off the same street Duddy was raised on, and become a successful businessman. In reality, Dingleman is an unforgiving man will do anything to get what what he wants. That's not the man Duddy grew up idolizing. However, it ends up being the man Duddy becomes.