In the novel , Mordecai Richler punishes Duddy for his wrongs against others in several ways. Each punishment fits the crime, and there is an irony about each one. The three punishments inflicted on Duddy at the end of the novel are the loss of Simcha's love, the loss of his friends, and the absence of any funds to build on his property. The loss of Simcha's love is a devastating blow for Duddy. This is evident when Duddy confronts Yvette and asks her, “ Why did you go to my grandfather? Of all the people in the world, he's the onl ....