Character Exploration in Duddy's Apprenticeship Kravitz and King Lear"The right path is not always the popular and easy one. Standing up for reason when it is unpopular is one true test of moral character." These lines from "Margaret Chase Smith" force us to think about what the true test of morality is. Morality cannot be judged solely by the actions a person commits, but when the person shows enough courage to stand up to the crowd and support the right. Both Richler and Shakespeare emphasized character development throughout the plot evident in their works, which helps readers create a strong bond with them until the end, although both Duddy Kravitz and King Lear fail to be moral. In King Lear and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, both the characters King Lear and Duddy Kravitz share similar motivations, but choose different methods of acting on them and, as a result, have different impacts on others. Duddy Kravitz's main motive was to gain monetary wealth, status, and power. From the moment he hears his grandfather say, “A man without land is nobody” (Richler 48), he is ready to seek the land of his dreams, no matter the cost. This ambition of his is very respectable, but unfortunately his methods are rather damned. In his journey towards getting his land, Duddy makes many irrational decisions betraying the trust of his loved ones, Yvette and Virgil uses Yvette as a tool and means through which he can purchase the land he wants because he is a minor and cannot legally own the land . Duddy knew that “The farmers would be wary of a young Jew, they might raise prices or even refuse to sell, but another French Canadian would not be suspected. "... middle of paper ...... in their life that led them to ruin in one way or another. Their motivations began to overwhelm them, and as a result, they forgot to actually respect their morality which also had a serious impact on their loved ones. Considering this, Lear is the one who somehow realizes his mistake, while Duddy is a shameless and ruthless individual who does not apologize for his offenses. It was too late for Lear as well to make up for his mistakes and so everything ends drastically. However, it really makes us think about how people are characterized by their ability to learn from their mistakes, repent of their actions and make a positive change. Therefore, it is essential to make the right decisions from the beginning. Works Cited: Lewis, Jone. "Margaret Chase Smith Quotes." About.com Women's History, May 29, 1995. Web. May 5 2014