Throughout the novel `the apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz' Duddy' conflicts progressively escalate and intensify. From his first conflict with his teacher, Mr Mac Pherson, to his second with his friend, Vergil, and finally with his lover, Yevette, Duddy managed to sail through the conflicts without reflection on his own behaviour and responsibility.

This first conflict occurred when Duddy was just a little boy in highschool. Duddy was always a troublemaker in highschool; he wouldn't let any teacher push him around. When Mr Mac Pherson was assigned to teach his class he made the mistake of insulting Duddy's father. Knowing that Mr Mac Pherson did not strap boys, Duddy made it his business to get revenge. He planned to call Mac Pherson at three in the morning, but he didn't answer the phone, his sick wife did instead. All the commotion of getting out of bed led her to...