Robertson Davis Fifth Business Essay -- Robertson Davies Fifth Busine

Guilt can only when be suppressed for a restrain time before it comes out inunwanted ways. In the novel Fifth Business by Robertson Davies, male child Staunton -asuccessful businessman with a milled appearance but a tortured soul- took theultimate plunge to his death. His decision was not merely his own, but wasinfluenced by a team of hands that helped vitality him to his destiny. First Leola,who was his first love and his wife. Then Mary Dempster, a neighbor from his oldtown Deptford, whom he mistakenly made into a simple charwoman. Next his mannerlong-friend and enemy, Dunstan Ramsey, who was a constant reminder of thevirtuous life boy longed to live. Then Paul Dempster, the product of Boysimmature childhood behavior. Finally himself, because he suppressed his ill-doingand refused to accept the shadow that lurked within him. The five stack thatkilled Boy Staunton (as stated) were Mary- ?the woman he did not know?, Leola- ?the woman he knew?, Dunstan- ?the keeper of his con science and the scar?, Paul-whom granted his inner most wish, and lastly, Boy Staunton himself.It can be observed that childhood experiences play a very important rolein the constancy of ones soul. One mishap in childhood can create a devastatingblow to ones true happiness in later life. This was exactly the issue in BoyStauntons life. Once, when he was little, he got in an argument with Dunnywhich led to snowballs being launched at Dunny from an aggravated Boy Staunton.The last snowball concealed a rock, and murder Dunnys neighbor Mary Dempster inthe head. As a result, she gave birth prematurely (to Paul Dempster), and thenafterwards became ?simple minded?. This particular nonessential acted as afoundation for Boys growing shadow, and contributed to the demise of his soul.It is ironic that the person who had such a significant influence on BoyStauntons shadow, was a woman he did not know. When Boy was asked if he had anyrecognition of Mrs. Dempster, he replied ? None at all. W hy Should I(page261). Although Boy only met her once, the guilt remained suppressed intimate himfor the rest of his life. Boys guilt grew as the years went by, fed by incidents that occurredfrom different people. Leola, Boys first wife was one of these people. Leolawas born in Deptford as was Boy. They grew up together going to the same school,and fanci... ...his own life.When Boy was found the morning after, a strange careen was found in hismouth. That stone was the same stone which hit Mary Dempster in the head so manyyears before. Boy considered the stone to represent his guilt and in the endtried to swallow the stone (he tried to swallow his guilty conscience). Suicidewas the only way out for Boy, because his shadow was much to big to confront.Boys biggest mistake in his life, was that he did not subject his conscience whenit was small. Instead he let it grow inside him, a mistake which ultimately ledto his death.Indeed Boys death was influenced by different people througho ut hislife. Leola who was the woman he knew. Mary - the woman he did not know. Paul -who granted his inmost wish. And of course Dunny -the inevitable fifth. But BoyStaunton was the only one who could be accountable for his guilt. For he, and healone, ignored his shadow and left it to grow. In the end his shadow was to bigto defeat, and so, pushed by the darkness within him, Boy entered finally intothe shadow of death. Works CitedDavies, Robertson. FIFTH BUSINESS. Canada The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited, 1970.