Fifth Business: A Deeper Dive into the Deptford Trilogy

Fifth Business (Deptford Trilogy Book 1)

by Robertson Davies

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1588 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
Paperback	:	58 pages
Grade level	:	7 - 9
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.25 x 0.14 x 8.25 inches

FREE

Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy is a classic of Canadian literature. The trilogy consists of three novels: Fifth Business (1970),The Manticore (1972),and World of Wonders (1975). Fifth Business is the first novel in the trilogy and is considered by many to be Davies' masterpiece.

Fifth Business is a complex and rewarding novel that explores themes of identity, faith, and the nature of good and evil. It is a must-read for fans of Robertson Davies and Canadian literature.

Plot summary

Fifth Business tells the story of Dunstan Ramsay, a Canadian writer who is haunted by his past. Dunstan was born in the small town of Deptford, Ontario, in 1906. As a child, he was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the death of his best friend, Percy Boyd Staunton. Dunstan was blamed for Percy's death, and he has been carrying the guilt ever since.

As an adult, Dunstan moves to Toronto and becomes a successful writer. However, he is unable to escape his past. He is constantly reminded of Percy's death, and he struggles to come to terms with his own guilt.

One day, Dunstan receives a letter from a woman named Liesl von Arnim. Liesl is Percy's widow, and she has been searching for Dunstan for years. She wants to know the truth about Percy's death.

Dunstan is reluctant to talk about the past, but he eventually agrees to meet with Liesl. The two of them travel to Deptford, where they confront the ghosts of their past.

Characters

Fifth Business is a character-driven novel. The characters are complex and well-developed, and they stay with the reader long after the book is finished.

• Dunstan Ramsay is the protagonist of the novel. He is a successful writer who is haunted by his past. Dunstan is a complex and sympathetic character, and he is easy to relate to.
• Percy Boyd Staunton is Dunstan's best friend. Percy is a charismatic and popular boy, but he is also deeply troubled. Percy's death is the catalyst for the events of the novel.
• Liesl von Arnim is Percy's widow. Liesl is a strong and independent woman who is determined to find out the truth about her husband's death. Liesl is a complex and fascinating character, and she is one of the most memorable characters in Canadian literature.

Themes

Fifth Business explores a number of important themes, including identity, faith, and the nature of good and evil.

• Identity is a central theme in the novel. Dunstan struggles to come to terms with his own identity. He is haunted by his past, and he is unsure of who he is. Dunstan's journey of self-discovery is a powerful and moving story.
• Faith is another important theme in the novel. Dunstan is a deeply religious man, but he struggles to reconcile his faith with the evil that he sees in the world. Dunstan's journey of faith is a challenging and thought-provoking story.
• The nature of good and evil is a third important theme in the novel. Dunstan is confronted with the reality of evil in the world, and he must come to terms with the fact that evil is a part of human nature. Dunstan's journey of understanding is a powerful and moving story.

Setting

Fifth Business is set in the small town of Deptford, Ontario. Deptford is a fictional town, but it is based on the real town of Peterborough, Ontario. Davies was born in Peterborough, and he drew on his own experiences in creating the town of Deptford.

Deptford is a small town with a rich history. It is a town of secrets and mysteries, and it is the perfect setting for a novel about the nature of good and evil.

Style

Davies is a master of language, and his writing is both beautiful and thought-provoking. He uses a variety of literary devices, including symbolism, irony, and satire, to create a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Fifth Business is a complex and rewarding novel that explores themes of identity, faith, and the nature of good and evil. It is a must-read for fans of Robertson Davies and Canadian literature.

Fifth Business (Deptford Trilogy Book 1)

by Robertson Davies

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1588 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
Paperback	:	58 pages
Grade level	:	7 - 9
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.25 x 0.14 x 8.25 inches

FREE