Fifth Business: Through a Psychoanalytical Lens Robertson Davies “Fifth Business” is a story about Dunstan Ramsay, and the guilt he and Percy Staunton suffer from, after Mary Dempster is hit in the head with a rock laced snowball. Looking at Fifth Business through a psychological lens helps reveal why Dunstable and Percy struggle to let go of their guilt, and why it effects all their future relationships. While Dunstan attempts to reconcile past events with the overwhelming guilt that encompasses much of his identity, characters such as Paul Dempster and Boy Staunton attempt to deal with their guilt and negative childhood experiences as well, albeit in quite different ways. Throughout Fifth Business we see Dunstable and Percy
She cannot grasp the fact he needs her forgiveness before he is able to forgive himself.
The guilt felt by Dunstan adjusted the way he survives his perfect dedication for Mary Dempster. Dunstan's guilt is the aftereffect of his religious childhood. This guilt is brought about by Percy Boyd Staunton when he throws the snowball that hits Mrs. Dempster, bringing about her insanity and Paul's premature birth. Dunstan ...
The book Fifth Business by Robertson Davies is written from the point of view of the narrator; a man named Dunstable Ramsay. From the readers’ perspective, we see him to be the main character, but as the novel progresses, he and those he encounters start to see him as a fifth businessman. The novel shows and follows Dunstan Ramsay in his pursuit of self-knowledge, and ultimately fulfilling his role as ‘Fifth Business’ in the eyes of a number of people. It is evident that throughout the novel, he reminds himself and the reader that in fact his life and the lives of those who are close to him do not necessarily revolve around him however he still plays a large part in influencing their respective lives. The novel constantly shows instances where guilt and competition play roles in shaping a character’s decisions.
Fifth Business Part Three, Chapter Two. What Happened? In the chapter Dunstan gets a teaching position at Colborne College. He finds himself talking about his days teaching and old girlfriends. The idea of a new love seems like a viable option for him. Setting:..
Throughout his childhood, his mother has taught and influenced him to fear all sins of God which ultimately leads him to feel guilty about almost every lapse of duty. These teachings shapes Dunstan’s serious, lonely, and contemplative character and cause his struggle to untie himself from this burden of guilt. In contrast, Percy Boyd Staunton, the thrower of the snowball, should be the one who bears the most guilt of the snowball incident. However, he is revealed as an ignorant, heartless young character as he chooses not to admit his fault and claims that he “threw [the] snowball at [Dunstan]” (Davies, 16) and hopes “it gave [him] a good smack.” (Davies, 16). By not taking responsibility for his actions, it displays that he is ignorant of the pain that he inflicts on others. Although Percy acts non-remorseful, it is clear “by [...] his tone that he [is] lying” (Davies, 16) and that he is actually “afraid” (Davies, 16). This displays that Percy is secretly aware he is at fault for the incident but will “do anything rather than admit [it]” (Davies,
Fifth Business is a novel that dives deep into the issues of the human condition. Guilt and inhumanity are apparent at most points in the novel, as the characters of the novel are effected by separate incidents in very different ways. The battle between illusion and reality surfaces in the main conflict of the novel between the two main characters, Dunstan Ramsay and Percy Boyd Staunton. Faith is relied upon by some of the main characters in an attempt to choose between what is right and what is wrong. In the end, the reader is exposed to a stable, but exciting novel with two characters that prove to be perfect foils to each other.
Thwarted love. Ambition. Guilt. Sexuality. Fifth Business is rife with these life lessons. However, the most dominant themes in the novel are ambition and motivation. It is well known that excessive ambition and motivation can destroy someone, but, used correctly, can skyrocket someone to happiness, as in the case of Dunstan Ramsey, Percy Staunton, and Paul Dempster. These two qualities not only give these characters the will to keep on living, but also enable them to rise above the masses during the Great Depression. Right in the beginning of the novel, Dunstan displays his superior motivation and ambition through his learning of juvenile magic.
Like many in the world, people sometimes have too much guilt with them, and this guilt leads to people being sad and depressed and sometimes even confused on a certain topic. In “The Isabel Fish” by Julie Orringer Sage is very mean to his sister because of his depression caused by his guilt. Later they both admit their guilt and make peace. Even though initially Sage believes Maddy is responsible for Isabel’s death, as he is exposed to a taste of his own medicine he begins to realize both himself and Maddy are living with too much guilt, and ultimately comes to see that it’s better if they both move on.
	Robertson Davies’ novel, Fifth Business, revolves around guilt, competition, and two men who are foils of each other. Although Dunstan Ramsay and Percy Boyd Staunton are parallels to each other, they contrast in a great number of ways. Their awkward relationship plays a significant role in the number of elements which make Fifth Business such an interesting story.
Eventually, David and Carolyn are able to relinquish the triadic relationship with their daughter, Claudia. This restructuring in the family essentially alleviates many of the problems that were the cause for the family to seek therapy in the first place. Claudia is able to break free from the well worn routines of arguing with her mother and her unwanted behaviors diminish. After removing the pressure placed on Claudia to be their source of intense emotion, David and Carolyn are left to face the daunting task of exploring and eventually reorganizing their relationship with one
Fate and my own character for the vital though the never glorious role of Fifth Business!” (Davies, 7)
Guilt is one of the emotions that explains why these two characters are so different. It shows us that although they have the same ambition and motivation for the tasks they want to complete, their beliefs, morals, and opinions make the characters, their actions, and their lives completely different.
knew that she didn't love him, but still proceeded to commit the rest of his life to her. Consequently, a story of forbidden passion, hatred, and jealousy unfolds.
...d Macbeth change throughout the play, but in the end guilt takes over them, making them both weak in the end.
...ty to see things rationally. Regret is something that none of the women feel. Shock and surprise (if not more extreme remorse when Mrs. Mallard realizes her husband's alive) kills her at the end of the story. Calixta had her affair and settles back down with her husband before anything is found out. Marriage was pleasing for these women before they had the opportunity at the freedom to express themselves- whether sexually or personally. They ended up finding out something about themselves that they weren't even aware of before. Marriage can be a form of repression and can become dull, but it can also be wonderful and a valued friendship. Current times are lucky times, especially for American women because now women are freer than ever to take charge--in or out of the bedroom.