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Fifth Business Guilt Quotes

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Guilt is a powerful and complex emotion that can have a profound impact on one's mental health and wellbeing. In Robertson Davies' novel "Fifth Business," guilt is a central theme that is explored through the experiences of the protagonist, Dunstan Ramsay, and other key characters. Throughout the novel, guilt is shown to have the power to consume one's sanity, govern one's emotions, and demolish one's life. In this essay, I will examine the theme of guilt in "Fifth Business," and explore how the novel portrays the destructive effects of this emotion.
One of the key examples of guilt in "Fifth Business" is Dunstan Ramsay's guilt over the snowball incident that leads to Mary Dempster's lifelong affliction. The novel opens with Ramsay confessing, …show more content…

He says, "It was like an act of penance; it was a duty that I owed." (Davies, 7) Ramsay feels that he owes it to Mary Dempster to take care of her and her son, Paul. This act of penance is a form of self-punishment for his guilt over the snowball incident. This demonstrates how guilt can lead to self-punishment and a diminished quality of life.
Dunstan Ramsay's guilt also leads to self-punishment. As he cares for Mary Dempster and her son, Paul, he reflects, "It was like an act of penance; it was a duty that I owed" (Davies, 16). Dunstan Ramsay feels that he owes it to Mary Dempster to take care of her and her son, Paul. This act of penance is a form of self-punishment for his guilt over the snowball incident. He feels that he must make up for his mistake, even at the cost of his own happiness. This demonstrates how guilt can lead to self-punishment and a diminished quality of …show more content…

Paul's guilt over Mary Dempster's condition has left him feeling utterly defeated, wishing for a way out of the pain and suffering he feels. This supports the idea that guilt, like a disease of the mind, has the power to demolish one's life.
In Fifth Business, the character of Mary Dempster is haunted by guilt following her son's accident, as evidenced by the quote, "I'm guilty. I'm guilty. Oh, I'm guilty" (Davies, pg. 76). This quote shows how guilt can become a recurring thought or mantra, weighing down the mind and contributing to a sense of helplessness.The quote reflects Mary Dempster's intense feelings of guilt over her son Paul's accident, which left him permanently disabled. The repetition of "I'm guilty" highlights how guilt can become all-consuming, dominating one's thoughts and emotions. Mary's guilt is compounded by the fact that she cannot change what has happened, and thus she feels powerless to make amends or seek forgiveness.his quote demonstrates how guilt can have a profound impact on one's mental state, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame. Mary's guilt is a constant presence in her life, shaping her thoughts and emotions and contributing to her sense of isolation. This supports the idea that guilt can be a disease of the mind, infecting one's thoughts and emotions and leading to a downward

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