![]() ![]() Frequently, Davies uses name changes to reflect these transformations. Percy is transformed from a spoiled boy into an industrial God-king Paul Dempster is transformed into Magnus Eisengrim and Dunstan is transformed from “Fifth Business” into a man who embraces the shadows of his soul. Joseph Campbell refers to this phenomenon as the “heroic transformation of consciousness” (Campbell 38). Much of Fifth Business is concerned with mythic transformation all of the major characters undergo a significant change. Ultimately, Dunstan tries to understand himself through other people, and their own archetypal personalities. This explains why Dunstan struggles with her presence throughout his life. Dempster represents the archetype of the ‘sacred feminine,' representing both the sacred and the profane (sexual). Boy is brash and sensual, living a life of excess but with a one-dimensional understanding of his own motivations. In contrast, Davies gives us the extroverted Boy Staunton. ![]() He is essentially what Liesl calls "Fifth Business," a man of quiet support to others but living only half a life himself. As a result, Davies weaves many Jungian concepts and archetypes into Fifth Business, all of which help to understand the work.ĭunstan reflects the introverted confidant archetype. ![]() Robertson Davies had a keen interest in psychology, and was an avid student of Carl Jung. Psychology is one of the novel's main themes, especially in terms of its mystical component. ![]()
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