We are all, at best, mostly Fifth Business - like it or not. The title of Robertson Davies' first book of the Deptford Trilogy painstakingly points a finger at this but at the same time rejoices in the necessity of such roles, even to the point of easily convincing the readers that is it a more enviable role than Hero, Heroine, or Villain. Unfortunately, for the reader, we are given a definition before the book begins:

Those roles which, being neither those of Hero nor Heroine, Confidante nor Villain, but which were nonetheless essential to bring about the Recognition or the denouement, were called the Fifth Business in drama and opera companies...the player who acted these parts was often referred to as Fifth Business

I would rather have allowed readers to stumble upon the meaning of the rather enigmatic title in the conversation between Dunstan and Liesl- where the title's relevance gives one pause and invites us to reflect back and realise how Dunstan truly is Fifth Business even while accepting his rather unique accomplishments. Indeed, if Dunstan didnt take it upon himself to write what we are reading, all that would have been left in print about him was the "idiotic piece that appeared in the College Chronicle". While I am sure I missed the more subtle insights Davies offers us into the Canadian psyche, it seems that he suggests a deep-rooted social unconsciousness in which Canada views itself as Fifth Business

There are also the religious/mythological themes of the novel which left an impression on me. Eisengrim and Liesl want to establish a troupe that will be an outlet for humanity's "concealed longing ... for romance and marvels" P

People simply want to marvel at something but unfortunately live in a world where "the whole spirit of our time is not to let them do it".

Magic entertwined with mythology substitutes for religion and God which have been pushed out by facts and reason. I think it is only from a European mindset (not defined geographically) that this necessity could be identified. The unique European position - the ability to feel the continuity of time, of Western Civilization in a way that is not available to non-Europeans. This is personified in Liesl:

"Oh, this Christianity! Even when people swear that they don't believe in it, the fifteen hundred years of Christianity that has made our world is in their bones, and they want to show they can be Christians without Christ".

Another point of interest:
" I have not yet found a God to teach me how to be old" Dunston says, referring to an earlier conversation with the likeable old Jesuit Padre Blazon where Blazon remarked

" Very well, am I at fault for wanting a Christ who will show me how to be an old man? All Christ's teaching is put forward with the dogmatism, the certainty, and the strength of youth: I need something that takes account of the accretion of experience, the sense of paradox and ambiguity that comes with years!" While these remarks beg me to question whether Blazon really knew Christ, the focus should be how experience brings paradox and ambiguity - for some this may make it easy to identify what should be marveled at, others it makes it more difficult. Nevertheless, to me it seems that Blazon is calling out for the capacity of Negative Capability (which I will write about next).

Finally:
Liesl tells Dunston that "... every man has a devil... you must get to know your personal devil. You must even get to know his father, the Old Devil". When Dunston relates this to Blazon, the Padre has this to say "I find no fault with that. The Devil knows corners of us all of which Christ Himself is ignorant. Indeed, I am sure Christ learned a great deal that was salutary about Himself when He met the Devil in the wilderness" Therefore, if this can have such a cathartic effect, "Why dont you shake hands with your devil" -- this isnt for everyone, Liesl admits "Only for the twice-born". Of course, the twice-born are easily set apart in Fifth Business as those transformed by name, Dunstable, Percy and Paul (thrice)... are all twice-born - as Dunston, Boy, Magnus (Paul actually is thrice born, adding Faustus).

This is all quite Jungian in its depiction of both God and the Devil as psychological realities- both of which must be explored in order for a human being to be whole.

The question remains who attempted to shake hands with their devils? But this is a question I am not willing to answer until I have finished the trilogy

And of course I havent even mentioned Mrs Dempster, by design- because I have still not completely puzzled her out - saint, fool or merely more fifth business?