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The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz--Words or Whip?

The whip that a lion-tamer uses is the single most important tool that

will assists him in successfully taming the lions. To demonstrate his

point clearly to the beasts, he must thrash the lions with his

blood-sucking whip whenever they perform an incorrect act. This is the

only way that he can communicate with these low-intelligence animals,

because lions cannot even understand the most indecent word in the

English language. But as for humans, most of us are able to understand

the language that the people around us speak. Therefore whipping,

caning, strapping, or any kind of corporal punishments are not necessary

-- they are reserved for animals only.

Not too long ago, teachers at school and parents at home use various

forms of corporal punishment on their students and children -- there are

also several techniques associated with each of them. But as our

society becomes more civilized, these savage acts are now looked upon

with disdain and contempt. What used to be considered as corporal

punishment is now considered as physical abuse. It should be thought of

that way long ago.

Physical abuse as penalty surely works. It arouses resentments and

bitterness, but it works. If a student does something wrong and gets a

whipping for it, he or she will cease doing the same erroneous act

again. Though it will not change the way he or she thinks, but it WILL

work. The student will not understand why he or she should not behave

in that particular manner, and will continue to think that he or she is

right, but physical abuse can stop them from doing it again -- it

definitely works. But in long-term, some people are inclined to rebel

against the authority who impose corporal punishments on them. Once

they can overpower the authority, they will challenge their masters.

Others, like Duddy Kravitz, they get used to their punishments and

cannot care less for them. Duddy gets strapped so often that he

virtually asks Mr. MacPherson for it.

"So when he led Duddy Kravitz into the Medical Room that afternoon,

breaking with a practice of twenty years, the actual blows were feeble,

and it was Duddy who emerged triumphant, racing outside to greet his

classmates."

Duddy also excitedly announced to his peers: "Hey, look! Look, jerkos!

Ten on each. Mac strapped me. Mac, of all people." Obviously, Duddy

is no longer intimidated by strapping. Strapping or any kind of

corporal punishment is not an effective way to change human behaviour

because it simply cannot change people's minds.

Humans, unlike animals, should be taught with words. If a student has

done something wrong, instead of giving him or her a good strapping, a

nice little chat would be more appropriate. The teacher must make the

student understand what he or she has done and why it should not have

been done. The teacher must make the student feel that he or she is

wrong. That way, the awful act is unlikely to recur.

Mr. MacPherson should be praised for his virtue of not strapping any

boy. It is very good of him to understand the futility of corporal

punishments. It is quite unfortunate that he gives up this virtue when

finally can not stand the pressure of his wife's death and Duddy's

agitation.

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