Fifth Business - Guilt - 1595 Words

Fifth Business: The consequences of guilt All actions have consequences. Sometimes one does not have to participate in the action, but only be related, and the crime committed can have serious consequences for everyone. The consequence, or lack of consequence, is determined by one’s upbringing. This is clearly the case present in Robertston Davies’ Fifth Business. Although Boy committed the crime, Dunstan feels a profound sense of guilt about the snowball incident. On the other hand, Boy obliterates his guilt. Guilt and lack of guilt can clearly be seen through character’s lives, relationships and philosophies. The guilt felt by Dunstan altered the way he lives through his complete devotion for Mary Dempster. Dunstan’s guilt is the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"It was characteristic of Boy throughout his life that he was always the quintessence of something that somebody else had recognized and defined† (Davies 113). He believes that he is in control of every situation, but inside he cannot control his guilt that is still buried deep inside himself. Contrary to Dunstan who feels responsible for problems, Boy runs away from his problems by keeping himself busy. The death of Leola, his wife, clearly shows Boy’s fear of facing problems, for his does not show up for her funeral, â€Å"Boy was in England, arranging something or other connected with his Ministry, and duty and the difficulty of transatlantic flights in wartime kept him there†(Davies 194). Boy still yearns for fulfillment even though he achieves greatness in terms of his financial success and his o utward appearance. He says, â€Å"I feel rotten. I’ve done just about everything I’ve ever planned to do and everybody thinks I’m a success†¦ But sometimes I wish I could get into a car and drive away from the whole damned thing.† (Davies). Boy knows that deep inside he is very unsuccessful. As he gets older, he is supposed to be wiser, but his commitment to achieving the external greatness has stopped him from being fully satisfied. There is an immense difference in the lives of Boy and Dunstan. Boy’s focus on his external being causes him live an unfulfilled life, like a ‘boy’ who cannot see that there isShow MoreRelatedFifth Business Essay: Guilt1191 Words   |  5 PagesFifth Business Essay: Guilt Guilt is a powerful emotion that can greatly affect the course of a person’s life. Dunny’s character, in Robertson Davies’ Fifth Business, first experienced guilt at an early age due to a tragic accident. A snowball that was meant for Dunny hit a pregnant woman, Mrs. Dempster, causing her to go into premature labour. Although her child, Paul Dempster, survived, the guilt that Dunny experienced from his part in the situation would stay with him for the rest ofRead MoreGuilt in Fifth Business by Robertson Davies620 Words   |  2 PagesGuilt is the regret one experiences when they realise their action was not appropriate according to a lawful or moral standard. In Fifth Business, by Robertson Davies, guilt was a major theme and was essential throughout the novel. Davies used the three main characters, Dunstan Ramsay, Boy Staunton, and Paul Dempster to illustrate the different effects of Mrs. Dempster’s incident. The way one is raised, the key disciplines th ey have developed and their way of thinking reflects how they deal withRead MoreTheme of Guilt in Hamlet Fifth Business Essay example938 Words   |  4 Pages it is better known as guilt. 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Provided in the novel Fifth Business, the role of the fifth is defined as: Those roles which, being neither those Hero nor Heroine, Confidant nor Villain, but which were none the less essential to bring about the Recognition or dà ©nouement were called the Fifth Business in drama and opera companies organized according to the old style; the player who acted these parts was often referred to as the Fifth Business. (Davies) In the novel Fifth Business by Robertson DaviesRead MoreCarl Jung s Concept Of Individuation2024 Words   |  9 Pages Our actions and choices are capable of causing ripples in the ponds of other s realities, even those largely disconnected from our own. These ripples shape a person s impression of individuality and of their Self. In Robertson Davies’ ‘Fifth Business’, even the minor characters that Dunstan Ramsay encounters, as well as his various experiences have different degrees of impact on his process of Individuation. Throughout the novel, Dunstan is self-reflective and becomes aware not only of howRead MoreThe Inner Machinations Of My Mind Are An Enigma979 Words   |  4 PagesBattling the Psyche in Fifth Business The Inner Machinations of my mind are an enigma. (Spongebob Squarepants, 1999). Meaning that the mind is a complicated element of a person. A psychoanalysis lens looks at the conflicts, the characters and their dreams, like an insight into one s mind. It focuses also on their psyche and the complications within themselves. The novel Fifth Business by Robertson Davies portrays how the mind can take control as seen through individual characters suchRead MoreThe Miller s Fifth Business, And William Shakespeare s `` Seventh Business ``1395 Words   |  6 PagesGuilt can cause one to make poor choices that will affect both oneself and others. As it grows, it can lead to anger, aggressiveness, and fear. In Robertson Davies’ novel, Fifth Business, and William Shakespeare s play, Hamlet, guilt is a recurring theme that is a major factor in many characters’ lives. Davies and Shakespeare demonstrate this by having a character feel guilty while other characters do not. T he components of guilt are portrayed through the characters’ experiences, how they cope with