Who Is Dunstan Ramsay's Heroism In Fifth Business

In the stories and movies of today, heroes are portrayed and recognized as the powerful figures wearing capes and masks who save countless lives and who defeat a terrorizing enemy, yet not all heroes must look the part. Wikipedia defines a hero as a person who helps others by combatting adversity through feats of ingenuity, bravery, or strength, often sacrificing his or her own personal concerns for the greater good. Whilst visiting the small Canadian town of Deptford in the early 1900s, surely one would not imagine it could provide a home to such a hero as Dunstan Ramsay. From the beginning to the end of Robertson Davies’ Fifth Business, the character of Dunstan Ramsay unconsciously demonstrates all the qualities that define a hero. Ramsay establishes his heroism in the novel during his childhood that leads up to the Great War; during his struggle throughout the war that leads to his return home; and after the return to Deptford until the end of the novel. Dunstan Ramsay’s heroism is apparent throughout the novel, but it begins in 1908 during his somewhat traumatic childhood. First and foremost, Dunstan begins to show signs of heroic quality when he becomes Mary Dempster’s nursemaid responsible for helping her and her baby with everyday life. His main duty is as follows, “I was also to keep an eye on the baby…[in case] that Mrs Dempster would allow it to choke or fall out of its basket…” …show more content…
He demonstrates his heroic qualities toward Mary Dempster all throughout his childhood; he courageously develops himself as a hero in World War One; and he continues to unfold his heroism later in life during his encounters with David, Liesl, and Paul. To whoever attempts to write the next definition of Fifth Business, it shall require no more than one word: