Mr. MacPherson has taught for twenty years, and still is
idealistic about his role in the proper education of students. He is described as a "socialist"
of some sort, being very concerned with moral attitudes and reaching his students through
rational arguments rather than with punishment. He makes a point of never beating boys for
disruption, based in his attitudes, but he is seen as apathetic by the other
teachers:
"Strapping,"
Mr. MacPherson began in a small voice, "has never been a solution
to...""Sure, sure," Mr. Coldwell said, "but until your socialist
messiah comes along, I'd like my sleep undisturbed by obscene phone calls."
(Richler,
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Google
Books)
Later, after a prank phone call
results in MacPherson's wife dying, he rethinks all of his attitudes. He starts to behave in a
deliberately antagonistic manner, apparently believing that the young boys now lack any moral
clarity or personal responsibility. Instead of raising an honest generation, he sees his
influence as meaningless in their lives, and dismisses Duddy with the phrase, "You're going to go
far, Kravitz." He means this cynically; in his eyes, Duddy has the ability to trick others into
going along with him without ever taking responsibility for his actions, and that means that
Duddy will succeed in the world, since morality and honesty are a thing of the
past.
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