ENGLISH 30-1: NOVEL STUDY QUESTIONS
FIFTH BUSINESS BY ROBERTSON DAVIES
As you read the novel, answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
Answers may be point form.
PART 1: MRS. DEMPSTER
Section 1:
1. The novel opens with a sentence containing very precise details. Why do you
think these details are so specific? (1)
2. Summarize the key traits the narrator reveals about Percy Boyd Staunton at
the beginning of this section. (3)
3. Summarize the snowball incident. What happened and why? (3)
4. What was the result of Mrs. Dempster being hit by the snowball? (1)
Section 2
5. The context of the novel is laid out for you at the beginning of section 2. We
learn that the “book” is actually a report to Dunstable Ramsay’s Headmaster.
Why does he suggest that he is writing it and why at this particular point in
time? (2)
6. We learn in the article “Farewell to the Cork” that Dustan Ramsay “taught
history, as he sees it” and there is a later reference from a previous student
about Ramsay’s “explorations of the borderland between history and myth.”
What does this reveal about the kind of teacher Ramsay was and about the
subject he taught? (2)
7. Dunstan reveals that HE is Fifth Business on page 7. Based on the definition
at the beginning of the novel: “Those roles which, being neither those of Hero
nor Heroine, Confidante nor Villain, but were none the less essential to bring
about the Recognition or the dénouement were called the Fifth Business in
drama and opera companies organized according to the old style; the player
who acted these parts was often referred to as Fifth Business” what do we
learn about our protagonist? (1)
Section 3
8. How were the Ramsays viewed in the town of Deptford? What are 2 factors
that contributed to their reputation? (3)
Section 4
9. When Dunstan is talking about how Amasa Dempster dealt with the
premature birth of Paul and the condition of his wife immediately following
the delivery, he states: “ This is one of the cruelties of the theatre of life; we
all think of ourselves as stars and rarely recognize it when we are indeed
mere supporting characters or even supernumeraries.” (p. 14) What does he
mean generally? What is he referring to here, specifically? (2)
10. On page 15, Dunstan states, “It was during these weeks that I endured agony
of mind that seems to me, looking back over more than sixty years, to have
been extraordinary.”
a. What is he referring to? (1)
b. Why is this memory so agonizing for Dunstan? (1)
c. How does Dunstan deal with his guilt? (1)
d. How does Percy Boyd Staunton deal with his memory of this event?
(1)
11. How does religion figure into the impact of the snowball incident on
Dunstan? (2)
Section 5
12. Mary Dempster differs from the majority of the women in Deptford and is,
therefore, described as simple. What is it about Mary that perpetuates the
belief that “nothing would ever make a preacher’s wife out of that one”? (2)
13. Why and how did Dunstan and his mother help the Dempsters? (2)
Section 6
14. What social problems (name 3) emerged for Dunstan as a result of his
responsibilities at the Dempsters? How was Dunstan able to deal with these
issues? (5)
15. How does Dunstan “love” Leola? How does he “love” Mary Dempster? Why
does he love Mary Dempster? (3)
Section 7
16. Through his inability to help at his father’s printing business, Dunstan ends
up with the “job” of under-librarian. While in this position, he comes across a
couple of locked away books on magic.
a. Why would books on magic be locked away? (1)
b. Why would books on magic appeal to Dunstan? (1)
c. What is a prestidigitateur? Why does Dunstan choose to practice this
form of magic? (2)
17. Why did the incident with the egg cause such a major altercation between
Dunstan and his mother? Why can Dunstan “still feel that hour’s misery in its
perfect desolation”? Why would this incident result in Dunstan’s realization
that “nobody – not even my mother – was to be trusted in a strange world
that showed very little of itself on the surface”? (3)
Section 8
18. How does magic draw Dunstan and Paul together? What is the end result of
this joint interest? How are Paul and Dunstan similar? (3)
Section 9
19. Why does Dunstan “dislike” Amasa Dempster? (1)
20. Amasa Dempster is a Baptist and Dunstan is a Presbyterian. In this section,
Amasa bans Dunstan from his home and his family. What events lead up to
this action, and how is it related to Amasa Dempster’s religious beliefs? (5)
Section 10
21. The “hunt” for Mary Dempster results in an unexpected discovery. What do
the searchers find? What does this reveal about Mary Dempster’s character?
(2)
Section 11
22. This section reveals that much of the power in the village of Dempster was
held by the women, despite their traditional roles as wives and mothers.
This is revealed during the meeting in the Baptist church and at the Ramsays’
dinner table. Explain what power the women held and how they exercised it.
(2)
23. How did Amasa and Mary Dempster change as a result of the incident at the
gravel pit? (2)
24. Describe the renewal of the relationship between Dunstan and Mary. What
draws him to her and her to him? What barrier remains despite their
closeness? (3)
Section 12
25. What is a polymath? How does Dunstan’s attempt to become one affect his
social reputation? (2)
26. How did Percy Boyd Staunton end up going to the private school, Colbourne
College? (2)
Section 13
27. What 2 major events occurred in the Ramsay house during the Fall Fair? (2)
Section 14
28. Describe the conflict between Dunstan and his mother over Mary Dempster.
How did each feel and why? (4)
29. How does Dunstan resolve the conflict not only with his mother, but the
entire village, over his belief in Mary Dempster? How does this decision
affect Dunstan at home? Among his peers? (4)
30. When Dunstan leaves, what advice does Mary give him? What information
does Leola Cruikshank reveal to him? (2)
PART 2: I AM BORN AGAIN
Section 1
1. Dunstan states a number of times that he was “bored” during the war. What
caused this boredom? How did Dunstan attempt to avert this boredom?
How did the other men respond to this behavior? (3)
2. Dunstan states “religion and Arabian Nights were true in the same way”.
How are religion and myth similar? (1)
3. Dunstan states of his time at war that his “most surprising achievement was
becoming Charlie.” What does he mean and why would that surprise him the
most? (2)
Section 2
4. In the trauma of Dunstan’s experiences in this section, he makes a number of
astute observations. Which of the following observations strikes you as the
most significant and why? (2)
a. “I had a revolver, and I shot all three at point-blank range. They did
not even see me. There is no use saying any more about it. I am not
proud of it now and I did not glory in it then. War puts men in
situations where these things happen.” (p. 71)
b. “For three years I had kept my nerve by stifling my intelligence, but
now I let the intelligence rip and the nerve dissolve. I am sure there
has been worse wretchedness, fright, and despair in the world’s
history, but I set up a personal record that I have never since
approached.” (p. 72-73)
c. “…still, in my condition, the belief was stronger than the experience.”
(p. 73)
d. “’There’s just one thing to remember; whatever happens, it does no
good to be afraid.’” Mrs. Dempster, I said aloud, was a fool. I was
afraid, and I was not in a situation where doing good, or doing evil,
had any relevance at all.” (p. 73)
5. What strange experience does Dunstan have at the end of this section? (1)
Section 3
6. This section tells the story of Dunstan’s injuries and recovery. (3)
a. How long had he been unconscious?
b. What injuries did he incur?
c. Why was he a medical marvel?
7. Who is Diana Marfleet? Describe her. (3)
8. Diana tells Dunstan that his “V.C. was awarded posthumously.” (p. 77) What
does that mean and why was he awarded a V.C.? (2)
9. What news does Dunstan receive from home? (1)
Section 4
10. How does Dunstan react to the news from home? Why? (2)
11. Dunstan describes his relationship with Diana and her family in this section.
a. Describe Dunstan’s relationship with Diana. (2)
b. How do Diana and her family differ from Dunstan and his family? (3)
Section 5
12. Dunstan outlines 3 events that were meaningful to his life. What are these
three things, and how were they significant? (3)
Section 6
13. Why couldn’t Dunstan continue his relationship with Diana? State 3 reasons.
(3)
14. How and why does Dunstan get his new name? (2)
15. Why was “Christmas day … even better than (Dunstan) had foreseen” (p. 90)?
(2)
Section 7
16. Dunstan’s return to Deptford reveals a dramatic shift in the town itself and in
the way Dunstan, himself, is viewed. How has the character of the town
changed? Why and how has the town’s view of Dunstan changed? (3)
17. What does Dunstan learn about his relationship with Leola? How does he
feel about this? (2)
Section 8
18. Milo Papple goes on and on about town gossip while cutting Dunstan’s hair.
What does Milo tell Dunstan about Mary Dempster? About Paul? (2)
ENGLISH 30-1: NOVEL STUDY QUESTIONS
FIFTH BUSINESS BY ROBERTSON DAVIES
As you read the novel, answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
Answers may be point form.
PART 3: MY FOOL-SAINT
Section 1:
1. Despite dropping out of high school, Dunstan gets accepted into University
College as an Honours student in History. What two factors helped him
accomplish this? (2)
2. Why did Dunstan choose to study history? (2)
3. How does Boy Staunton “help” Dunstan? For what reason does Dunstan
believe Boy helped him? (2)
4. Dunstan states for a second time that “I did not want her (Leola), but it
annoyed me that Boy had her.” (p. 114) Why does it annoy him? What kind
of person is Boy? What kind of person is Leola? (3)
Section 2
5. What are the 2 reasons Dunstan gives for choosing to teach at Colborne
College instead of another school? (2)
Section 3
6. Explain the dual meanings of the line, “literally on top of me.” (p. 119)
Section 4
7. Where did Dunstan go when he got to Europe and what was he looking for?
(2)
8. Dunstan states, “When the time came at last for me to go home, I knew I had
found a happiness that would endure.” (p. 123) What is he referring to? (1)
Section 5
9. Dunstan states that Boy, too, was an educator. Who was he educating, in
what, and why? At this point, is he successful? Explain. (4)
Section 6
10. Who is Joel Surgeoner? Include what he does now and who he was in the
past. (2)
11. Who does Surgeoner credit as his “savior”? What did this person do and
how/why did it change Surgeoner’s life? (3)
12. What impact does Surgeoner have on Dunstan (i.e. what does he make
Dunstan realize)? (1)
Section 7
13. What is a fool-saint and why does Father Regan discuss this subject with
Dunstan? (2)
Section 8
14. Where does Dunstan go in this section and who does he see? (2)
Section 9
15. How did Dunstan fare in the stock market crash of 1929? Why? (2)
16. What is the motivation behind Dunstan’s trip to Europe? (1)
17. Who does Dunstan meet in Tyrol and where/how does he meet him? (2)
18. How does Faustus Legrand feel about his past and his family? (2)
PART 4: GYGES AND KING CANDUAULES
Section 1:
1. How did Boy Staunton get richer during the Great Depression rather than
poorer, .like most people? State and explain. (2)
2. As Boy gains in wealth and status, a number of issues begin to plague him. In
addition to people being jealous of his success or deeming him a crook, he
also encounters difficulty at home. What problems arise in Boy Staunton’s
personal life and how does Boy deal with these? How does Leola deal with
them? How does Dunstan deal with them and why? (5)
3. Dunstan gets in the middle of Boy and Leola’s affairs twice. Describe each
incident and its outcome. (4)
4. Relate the Leola-Boy-Dunstan incident to the myth of Gyges and Candaules.
Section 2
5. When Dunstan meets with Orpheus Wettenhall after Bertha Shanklin’s
funeral, what does he learn and how does he feel about it? (2)
6. What are the three miracles that Dunstan believes Mary Dempster is
responsible for? (3)
7. What really happens to Orpheus Wettenhall and why? What is the public
story and why are these different? (4)
8. What effect do the events in #7 have on Dunstan? What does he do with
Mary and how does he feel about it? (3)
Section 3
9. Who are the Bollandists and what are the Acta Sanctorum and Analecta
Bollandiana? (3)
10. How does Dunstan become involved with the Bollandists? (1)
11. How does Dunstan’s work with the Bollandists affect his
relationship/reputation with Boy? (1)
12. On page 171, Dunstan states, “ I was used to living without intimate friends,
but I had a sneaking hope that here, among men whose preoccupation I
shared, things might be different.” What do you think is the reason that
Dunstan doesn’t have any intimate friends? (1)
13. Describe Ignacio Blazon and his relationship with Dunstan. (4)
14. Ignacio gives Dunstan advice about Mary Dempster and her saintliness. He
asks Dunstan, “ What figure is she in your personal mythology?” What does
he mean? Why does he also state that, “’God is subtle, but he is not cruel’”?
What does this mean in reference to Dunstan and Mary? (2)
Section 4
15. Dunstan is possessive of Mrs. Dempster. Find a quote to support this
statement and explain why he feels this way. (2)
16. Dunstan writes again of the dynamics of the Staunton family. How does he
characterize Boy, David, Caroline, and Leola on pages 184-185? To what
does he attribute the majority of these character traits? (5)
17. What happened with the Stauntons during Christmas of 1936? What events
led up to this incident? How were the children affected? (5)
ENGLISH 30-1: NOVEL STUDY QUESTIONS
FIFTH BUSINESS BY ROBERTSON DAVIES
As you read the novel, answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
Answers may be point form.
PART 5: LIESL
Section 1:
1. How did WWII affect Boy Staunton? Why? (2)
2. What happens to Leola? How did this affect Caroline and David? What role
did Boy play? Dunstan? (5)
3. Dunstan was “good enough” to serve as Headmaster temporarily when
circumstances required it during the war, but afterwards the Board,
specifically Boy Staunton, takes the position away. On what grounds does he
demote Dunstan? How does Dunstan make the best out of his demotion? (3)
Section 2:
4. When Dunstan is in Mexico, he visits a shrine of the Madonna. While there,
he examines the beauty of the miraculous painting on a cloak and then turns
his attention to the onlookers. He is entranced by their expressions and
compares them to patrons of art galleries. Upon this comparison, he states, “I
don’t regret economic and educational advance; I just wonder how much we
shall have to pay for it, and in what coin.” What does he mean by this? How
is it related to his current situation? How is it true in our lives today? (3)
5. Summarize the differences between Magnus Eisengrim’s magic show and the
ones Dunstan usually sees. What does Dunstan discover at this show? (3)
6. How does this encounter with a magician differ from Dunstan’s pervious
encounter? State at least 2 ways. (2)
Section 3:
7. What is Magnus Eisengrim’s vision for his magic show? What measures must
be taken to achieve it? (3)
8. Why does Liesl want Dunstan to be a “part of Magnus Eisengrim’s
entourage”? What is his response and why? (2)
Section 4:
9. Dunstan speaks of Paul’s level of education, his intelligence, and the effect of
both on his personality. Summarize his observations. (3)
10. Dunstan states, “Working on these illusions was delightful but destructive of
my character.” (p. 218) What aspect of his character does he mean? (1) What
two things are wrong with him? (2)
11. What role does Liesl take in Dunstan’s life? How does he feel about this? (2)
12. Why does Liesl “dominate the company”? (2)
13. Liesl speaks to Dunstan about secrets. How does she feel about secrets in
general, and what does she say about Dunstan and secrets, specifically? (2)
14. What are 3 complicating factors when it comes to Dunstan’s feelings for
Faustina? (3)
Section 5:
15. How does Liesl describe Faustina in order to explain the events Dunstan
witnessed in section 4? (1)
16. Why do Liesl and Dunstan fight, and who wins? (2)
17. Why does Liesl say Dunstan isn’t very human? (2)
18. How is Dunstan Fifth Business, according to Liesl? (3)
PART 6: THE SOIREE OF ILLUSIONS
Section 1:
1. How was the “autobiography” of Magnus Eisengrim received by the public?
Explain one reason why it was thus received. (2)
2. Dunstan describes his departure from Eisengrim, Liesl, and Faustina. In
some cases, things are exchanged. Describe the final give and take in each of
the three relationships. (3)
3. Dunstan makes a tragic mistake. What does he do? Who/what is affected
and how? (3)
Section 2:
4. Explain the three reasons why Dunstan feels Boy is unsuited to politics. (3)
5. Describe Denyse Hornick. What is she like and how does she become
involved with Boy? (4)
6. What position does Denyse try to help Boy achieve? (1)
7. How do Boy’s children feel about their new step-mother and step-sister? (2)
Section 3:
8. How does Boy’s marriage to Denyse affect his relationship with Dunstan?
Why? How do Boy and Dunstan deal with this? (3)
9. Dunstan speaks of how, as one ages, their strongest childhood traits return.
Which traits of his and Boy’s does Dunstan see returning as they reach their
mid- to late- fifties? (2)
Section 4:
10. How does the death of Mary affect Dunstan? (2)
11. Describe Mary’s “funeral”. (2)
Section 5:
12. Dunstan visits Ignacio Blazon in this section. They talk about 2 very
important aspects of Dunstan’s life. Briefly summarize what is discussed
about:
a. Dunstan’s fool saint (2)
b. Dunstan’s devil (2)
13. Dunstan finally finds the Madonna he saw when he was injured at war.
Describe her. What is it about her that made Dunstan think he saw Mary
Dempster? (3)
Section 6:
14. Describe the scene and evidence of Boy’s death. (3)
15. Why are the circumstances surrounding his death questionable? (2)
16. What demand does Denyse make of Dunstan following Boy’s funeral? How
does Dunstan feel about it? Does he do as she asks? Why or shy not? (4)
Section 7:
17. What do we learn in this section about Paul’s early years with the traveling
show? (2)
18. How does Boy react when Paul reveals who he is and again when he likens
his loyalty to Willard the Wizard to Dunstan’s loyalty to Paul’s mother? Why
do you think Boy responds this way? (2)
19. Paul suggests that Dunstan sees himself as the keeper of many secrets. How
is this true? What are some of the secrets he has kept? Does Dunstan remain
true to this persona throughout his entire life? (4)
20. How are all 3 – Dunstan, Paul, and Boy – “of the twice-born”? (3)
21. Paul finds his mother’s ashes in Dunstan’s possession. What revelation does
this lead to? Dunstan ties this revelation to his role as Fifth Business. How
are they connected? (4)
22. What is significant about Dunstan’s paperweight? What does its existence
reveal about Boy? About Dunstan? (3)
Section 8:
23. Who killed Boy?