Essay Outline
Thesis: Dunstan is mostly responsible for his isolation from society in 'Fifth Business.'
Directional Statement: Due to his own actions, reactions from his way of life (fate), and others
influence Dunstan is isolated from society.
Paragraph 1:
Due to his own actions Dunstan is responsible for a good part of his isolation.
“...that nobody – not even my mother – was to be trusted” (P.36)
Dunstan chose to not trust anyone, especially women throughout his life. He makes a conscious choice
and realizes the point from which his ideas about people have changed. His mother is that point.
“I had no intention of being anybody's dear ladie ever again” (P.88)
Dunstan's fear of being taken, or kept down, by a woman. This demonstrates his unwillingness to
comply with society, aka marriage. You can once again reference this to the feelings he has for the
mother and the people of Depford.
“My path was certainly an odd… particular treasurer.” (P.193)
He is not afraid to be odd, he feels he should simply play an accompaniment to fate. Another good
point to reference is how Liesl points out his simple riding upon fate and it’s possible downfalls.
Paragraph 2:
Due to Dunstan’s conscious approach to living, he uses his life to become more isolated.
-His career of saints, although contrary to his upbringing and schooling position. (ex: when Boy
“demotes” him from being headmaster.)
He is fond and very devout to his Hagiography, which hampers him in a career and does harm to him
character in various places. Yet he realizes this and willingly continues with his passion.
-He chooses to ghostwrite Paul’s autobiography, which he reseives no recognition for yet become a
bestseller.
Although he is renown for his books on saints, he spends much time and effort to a book which
becomes famous, yet is fabricated. Dunstan uses his fate to do something successful and popular
without the social recognition.
-The fact of him ‘loving’ Faustina yet never acting upon it.
The conversation with Liesl about this is perfect. It demonstrates that Dunstan consciously could act or
atleast attempt to even compliment her yet does not due to his character.
Paragraph 3:
Although Dunstan is willing and choosing to accept his social isolation, many instances that shape him
determine how he has become the way he is.
“We looked in…what in the world I could do about it” (P.20)
Boy from an early age put the burden of guilt and overbearing responsibility upon Dunstan’s shoulders.
This forced him to do many things which isolated him; for example taking care of Mary despite the
repercussions and keeping Boy’s secrets obviously.
-Instance where Dunstan’s mother beats him/Dunstan’s reaction
His overbearing mother took much from him for social isolation. Mistrust in women and people in
general. The shallow kindness her mother displays to Mary = Dunstan’s perception of people.
-The town’s cruelty/religious division. The effigy of the German
Dunstan is horrified (at a later age) and is deeply scarred by the religion and rigidness of his hometown.
This has scarred him into the man he is today. Also the shallowness of the towns good deeds among
other things. The division of the town due to religious sects.