"Fifth Business" – The Jungian Personality Types

By Vaneet S.

St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Brampton

The mind is an intricate network of interwoven concepts and ideas that work in junction with one another to formulate one's perception of life.It is these perceptions that become the basis of one's character and thus influence the decision-making ability of an individual. Just as the diversity of society's attitudes is evidently immeasurable, so too is its psychological mindset. This statement holds true for the classification of characters in Robertson Davies' "Fifth Business". In the quest for attaining a plausible method of classifying their broad range of mental viewpoints, one can address the theories of renowned psychologist and psychotherapist, Carl Gustav Jung.

As an aspiring apprentice of the prominent Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, Jung was able to learn the basis of psychiatric analysis. As his understanding of the workings of the human mind grew, so too did his gradual disagreements with Freud's approach. Both Freud and Jung studied dreams, however, Freud focused more on the sexual roots of neurosis while Jung explored inner disorders. In essence, Jung divided the mind's psychic energy into two basic attitudes – extrovert and introvert – which are present in everyone to varying degrees.[1] While the extrovert attitude focuses on outer motivation directed by objective factors and relationships, the introvert attitude stands for internal motivation prompted by inner subjective factors.[2] These two psychological approaches extend to include his four functional types: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. Thus, when Jung's psychological composition is applied to Davies' "Fifth Business", one can clearly draw conclusions of the characters' outlooks on the basis of the Jungian personality types.

To begin with, the first type – thinking – can be considered as an alternative method of formulating judgments and making decisions. The thought process is one of the four functional types associated with the Jungian Psychological Theory that can be expressed through the attitudinal extremes of extrovert and introvert thought. When considering an individual with an extroverted thinking psyche, one looks for those who direct themselves and others according to fixed rules or principles.[2] These individuals are interested in reality, order, and material facts. In "Fifth Business", Diana Marfleet is definitely a character whose frame of mind corresponds to this attitude. The reader is made aware through Dunstan Ramsay that "Diana was a very educative experience. As she gradually took [him] over she began to correct [him] about some of [his] usages, which she thought quaint – not wrong, just quaint" (Davies, 80). Evidently, Diana exemplifies extroverted thought for she is attempting to impose her own ideals upon Dunstan as a means of conforming him to her standards. Also present however, is the other extreme of the thought process: introverted thought. This approach, found predominantly in open-minded individuals like philosophers, is built on the basis of formulating one's questions and finding one's own answers. Decisions are based on self-derived ideologies while the world in its entirety is held in neglect. This is evident through the portrayal of Dunstan Ramsay for despite the society's objections, "For [him], Willie's recall from death is, and always will be, Mrs. Dempster's second miracle" (Davies, 57). It is apparent that Dunstan's inclination to adhering to his own ideas reflects the independent and self-relying attitude that his character entails. Clearly, both Dunstan Ramsay and Diana Marfleet can be categorized under Jung's functional type of thought.

The sentiment of feeling is another one of the functions outlined in Jung's psychological analysis.When discussed extrovertly, the term 'feeling' pertains to being conventional, well adjusted to time, and concerned with personal or social success.[2] Boy Staunton is a character who exemplifies such a mindset for "...he flaunted such toys as gold cigarette cases and hand-made shoes under the old man's nose, without explaining anything" (Davies, 111). Clearly, Boy Staunton takes pleasure in expressing a public display of success and thus is an obvious candidate for such an attitude. In contrast, introverted feeling, usually associated with monks, nuns, and musicians, are reflective of individuals who are inaccessible, but appear harmonious and self-sufficient.[2] Poetry and music play a substantial role in fueling one's inner motivation for they provide the median with which an introvert character can communicate his or her feelings. This is definitely evident by means of Davies' depiction of Mary Dempster through the narration of Dunstan Ramsay. Dunstan describes that upon being exposed with a tramp, "She knew she was in disgrace with the world, but did not feel disgraced; she knew she was jeered at, but felt no humiliation. She lived by a light that arose from within; [Dunstan] could not comprehend it…" (Davies, 47). Undoubtedly, Mrs. Dempster can be deemed as inaccessible for she remains oblivious to the insults of the world and stands by the idea that she will sustain her sense of self regardless of outer influences. In this way, her detachment from life's materialistic aspects and her willingness to adhere to the 'light that arose from within' clearly demonstrates the magnitude of her introverted feelings. Evidently, both Boy Staunton and Mrs. Dempster's psyche is correspondent to Jung's function of feeling.

Another category of Jung's psychiatric classification is that of sensation. A sensual outlook focuses on appeasing the senses through the adoration of the tangibles and the blatant acceptance with concrete facts and details. Immediate experience and the rapid resolution of issues are given precedence over discussion or analysis of information. Similar to the other psychological types illustrated in Jung's concept, the practice of sensation can be acknowledged through both introvert and extrovert attitudes. Extrovert sensation is achieved through the approval of external facts and hard-headed insinuations which ultimately yield an unconditional acceptance of the world.[2] In relation to Davies' novel, the portrayal of Percy Boyd Staunton can be acknowledged as a definite example of this attitude, for his steadfast compliance with the world around him eventually becomes the basis of his growing compulsiveness. This is evident for when Dunstan's sled was faster than his own, "… [It] had been humiliating for him, and when [he] was humiliated he was vindictive" (Davies, 1). Percy could not tolerate another individual dominating him in any field and thus, became consumed by his anger. Clearly, this character's aspiration for life's tangibles outlines his extrovert sensual attitude and his decent from his characteristic practical behaviour. In contrast, the ideals of introvert sensation incorporate the practice of inner sensations and the conformity with sensual impressions.[2] This attitude is accepted among connoisseurs and aesthetes for it entails bemused and unassuming experience. The character of Leola Cruikshank clearly illustrates introverted sensation for she "…had lost heart in the fight to become the sort of sophisticated, cultivated, fashionably alert woman Boy wanted for a wife" (Davies, 152), and "[she] had no public life and wanted none" (Davies, 194). Thus, Leola's unpretentious and perplexed nature exemplifies her reliance on her inner senses to direct herself in the world. Both Percy Staunton and Leola Cruikshank can be classified in terms of Jung's psychological type, sensation.

The final function outlined in Carl Jung's work is that of intuition. This attitude is reflected in an individual who recognizes opinions in terms of opportunities and integrates new information quickly. An extroverted intuition is described in a character whose unconscious insight keeps him or her on the threshold of future novelty.[2] They are known to be trouble-shooters, often charismatic leaders, but their ruthless adventuring makes them unfit for long-term stability.In Davies' "Fifth Business" these extroverted characteristics are present in the character of Liesl Vitzliputzli. The reader is informed through the narrator, Dunstan Ramsay, that in Paul's business "Liesl's job was to speak for the Brazen Head, because she was the only member of the company capable of rapidly interpreting a letter or an engagement book, composing a message that was spicy without being positively libelous" (Davies 217). Unmistakably, Liesl possesses the qualities of one who utilizes implications of experience to assist in the betterment of the Brazen Head. Clearly, the show relies on her insight and leadership persona to successfully function as a whole. By contrast, an intuition derived from an introverted attitude involves adhering to an inner vision usually associated with sentiments of clairvoyance and prudence. Day-dreamers and poets are exemplary of this psychological mindset for they find themselves absorbed in a state of self-indulgence and self-discovery that very few will ever come to understand.[2] In reference to the novel, introvert intuition is exemplified through Dunstan's rendition of Paul Dempster. He states that "[Paul] could do anything with his hands… His hands were small so that the coin was usually visible, but it was seen to be doing something interesting… with a dexterity that left [Dunstan] gasping" (Davies, 36). Paul Dempster is clearly envisioned by Dunstan as a character with an unseen sense of uniqueness that defines his obscure actions. Evidently, Liesl Vitzliputzli and Paul Dempster are sensible characters to be placed in correspondence with Carl Jung's function type of intuition.

All in all, it is apparent that a clear correlation can be distinguished upon relating the characters in Robertson Davies' "Fifth Business" to Carl Jung's psychological analysis. Through the application of Jung's eight psychological types and attitudes, one is able to formulate accurate depictions of the novel's characters. Moreover, these depictions help to broaden a reader's understanding and insight into the story. It is evident that the classification of psychological behaviour is essential in establishing an individual's character and thus, his or her outlook on life. Jungian therapy is a definite step in the right direction in terms of clearing the uncertainty behind the workings of the human mind. 

[1] The Dream Encyclopedia handout
[2] Carl Jung Booklet