Fifth Business: By Robert Davies

Davies employs many different techniques and themes in the writing of Fifth Business. He
illustrates many themes in the novel, and perhaps one of the most important is revealed through
the paradox of Spirituality vs. Religion. By spirituality, Davies articulates his social commentary
on how religion is not necessarily integral to the idea demonstrated by the corrupt Reverend
Leadbeater who integrates money and the bible to exhibit Gods work. Percy and Reverend Lead
beater have a very strong spiritual narcissism or spiritual materialism. These are terms used to
describe individuals which turn the pursuit of spiritualism into an ego building and a confusion
creating endeavor.
Percy is one of the wealthiest men in Canada. The readers see the growth and character
development of Percy as a young child Percy had a big ego, due to his upbringing of wealth
where he put his life and others on the line just to ensure Dunny felt the consequence because
his fine new Christmas sled would not go as fast as my old one (pg.1) which lead to Percy
throwing the snowball at the back of Mrs.Dempesters head. Raised with an abundance of
materialism, Percy ran away from aiding Mrs. Dempester in a time of hardship and Dunny was
left to clean up his mess due to his religious upbringing by his mother. This was the initial stage
that Materialism was represented by Percy and Spirituality was represented by Dunstan. They
meet for the first time to set the tone for the book and themes to come. Percys ego grows with
his materialism when his business of sugar beets grows and he becomes a very good business
man and acquires more materialistic things in his life. Percy refers to religion as a business, He
isnt like any other preacher youve ever met, said Boy. Honestly, youd wonder how old
dugouts like Andy Bowyer and Phelps ever have the nerve to stand up in a pulpit when there are
men like Leadbeater in the business.(pg.119). Davies presents the impact that materialism plays
in Boys life when he compares Jesus to a wealthy business man. This is where the reader sees
the internal struggle of spirituality and materialism in Percys life, where he has an abundance of
wealth but is still empty and still wants more. Percys business affairs and prosperity in the great
depression and overflow of success, yearns Percys hunger for more materialistic things to make
his life complete which never occurs due to his lack of spirituality in his life.( Percys life is not
balanced, Materialism out weighs his spirituality). Boy speaks to Dunstan and says undoubtedly

a designer and a manufacturer, in terms of those days. Otherwise, how did he make his
connections? You know, when he was traveling around, staying with all kinds of rich and
influential people as an honored guest----- obviously he wasnt just bumming his way through
Palestine; He was staying with people who knew him as a Man of substance(signifies
Materialistic imagery) who also had a great philosophy. (pg.119) the dominant themes explored
in Fifth Business are spirituality vs. materialism. Boy is a successful businessman who succeeds
at everything he tries but has little time for inclination for spiritual matters. Dunstan, meanwhile,
teaches at a high school his whole life and writes books about saints. Dunstan finds intellectual
stimulation and meaning in the inner life and dedicates his whole life teaching students about
saints. Percys and Dunstans characters contrast in many ways. The most prominent ways in
which they contrast is their values. Dunstan values spiritual things, while Percy only values
materialistic things; this is the result of the Dominant figures in both Dunstan and Percys life
that had a big role, in the shaping of their values has Men. Mrs. Ramsay a strong spiritual woman
instilled in Dunstan in a young age the spiritual aspect of life by taking him to church every
Sunday which increased his faith and awareness that GOD was in his life. Percys father, a rich
Doctor in the Deptford village valued materialism were his purist for money and want for more
influenced Boy were he learned form representation.