Fifth Business

Style and Technique

«Fifth Business» by Robertson Davies is written in the form of memoirs, giving the narrative a personal and intimate character. The author's style is marked by erudition and depth, using a rich and varied language that includes both everyday expressions and literary allusions. Davies masterfully weaves mythological and religious motifs into the text, adding symbolic layers to the work. Literary techniques such as retrospection and stream of consciousness help reveal the inner world of the main character, Dunstan Ramsay. The story's structure is nonlinear, with frequent time shifts, allowing the author to explore the influence of the past on the present. Secondary characters also play an important role, each symbolizing certain aspects of human nature and fate.