Themes of Guilt and Privilege in 'Fifth Business'

In the novel 'Fifth Business' by Robertson Davies, the protagonist, Dunstan Ramsay, reflects on his childhood experiences in the small town of Deptford, and how these experiences shaped his identity and spiritual evolution. One key event is the moment when a snowball thrown by a classmate, Boy Staunton, strikes a pregnant woman, leading to her premature labor. This incident, while seemingly trivial, serves as a catalyst for both Dunstan's and Boy's lives, intertwining their fates and setting them on vastly different paths.

As Dunstan matures, he grapples with themes of guilt, the nature of sanctity, and the influence of mythology on personal destiny. The narrative weaves through Dunstan's encounters with various mentors and spiritual figures, illustrating how they contribute to his understanding of his role in the world. Overall, the novel presents a complex interplay between fate and free will, and how one event can reverberate through a community and affect individuals in profound ways.