Archetypes In Fifth Business

Archetypes In Fifth Business

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies explores the theme of Psychology through several characters. Each character has a certain archetype which will affect how they think, showing different psychological effects. Specifically, the archetypes mentioned are the introverted, the confidant, the egotist, and the saint. These four archetypes correlate to being the side character, the secret keeper, the self–absorbed brat, or the painfully charitable woman respectively. Davies attempts to explore the relation between an archetype and the psychology behind it.



One example from which you can find a psychological archetype would be from Dunstan Ramsay, the protagonist, and narrator. Typically, all characters have their own problems, traumas, and emotional ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Dempster, also known as Mary Dempster, is a typical example of the sacred feminine. Her presence explains why Dunstan is conflicted throughout his life. Through Dunstan's point of view, Mrs. Dempster is a saint. Mrs. Dempster is seen through rose coloured glasses as Dunstan sees her differently than what one would normally see. In Dunstan's eyes, she is capable of miracles, to which he names three. The miracles Dunstan refers to consists of saving his "dead" brother Willie, Dunstan's memory of her face on the battlefield of WWI, and the transformation of Joel; the philanthropist who would have been a rapist. The third miracle only happened because she was willing to have intercourse with a vagrant solely because "he wanted it so bad." Her archetype leads to her being painfully giving, often giving what any normal person would not. Dunstan is constantly conflicted by Mrs. Dempster's presence, as he believes that she is a saint. Dunstan has grown too attached to her, enough for her to be considered a mother figure. Dunstan is constantly reminded of the snowball thrown by Boy that leads to the accidental premature birth of her child, Paul. Knowing this, Dunstan lives knowing exactly how this happened and is conflicted from her presence. Although this archetype is viewed only through Dunstan's eyes, it is extremely visible. Mrs. Dempster plays the role of the saint in relation to Dunstan's

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