Fifth Business

Interwoven with light and shadows, Robertson Davies’s Fifth Business is penetrated with fantastical elements that rub uneasily against feelings of guilt. A snowball thrown by young "Boy" Staunton misses Dunstan and hits Mary Dempster, causing the premature birth of Paul and the insanity of Mary. Guilt ensues and threatens to envelop Dunstable, Dunny, and Dunstan. One is his name by birth; the other a pet name; and the third, his true name upon being …

…career often outlasts the golden voices44 . Growing up surrounded by strong religious ideals, Dunstan Ramsay retains some of his childhood beliefs and adds to them his fascination with myth, which allows him to explore the more romantic sides of religion. Rediscovering his childhood love of magic, Ramsay learns again wonderment and awe. With religion, myth, and magic imbued in his spirit, Dunstan Ramsay is able to relieve himself of his burden and mature at last.