Fifth Business Characters

Dunstan’s mother is a severe and highly capable woman who demands utter obedience from Dunstan. Though Dunstan does not believe he loves his mother, he does feel guilty about disobeying or lying to her. Mrs. Ramsay dies of the influenza epidemic while Dunstan is abroad fighting in the war.

Dunstan’s father runs the print shop in town, and is a very sensible man who does his best to care for his family. He is very disappointed in Dunstan when he enlists, because he knows how that decision will hurt Mrs. Ramsay. He also dies in the influenza epidemic.

Boy’s father is similarly concerned with status and success. He is a successful man, but when his son grows more successful than him, he resents it.

Joel is the tramp who is caught sleeping with Mary Dempster. The event reforms him entirely, and he becomes a devout and generous Christian who runs a charity center for the homeless.

The pretty, romantic nurse with whom Dunstan has a relationship following his coma. She is the first person Dunstan has sex with, as well as the first intelligent woman he interacts with. Nonetheless, he never fully loves her.

Denyse is Boy’s second wife, an ambitious and goal-oriented woman who helps him into his career in politics. Her personality is quite similar to Boy’s, and though they are a better match than Boy and Leola were, Boy also grows unhappy in his marriage to her.

Milo is the class clown of Dunstan’s class and eventually becomes the town barber. He updates Dunstan on the town gossip after Dunstan returns from the war.

Percy’s mother is a doting woman whom the town believes spoiled her son.

Mabel is known for her promiscuity and is eventually caught sleeping with Percy.

Mabel’s mother, who catches her sleeping with Percy and is mortified.

The degenerate member of one of the wealthiest families in Deptford. Cece harasses Mrs. Dempster after she is found with a tramp.

The circus master who lures Paul into running away and becoming a magician. It is repeatedly implied that he is a pedophile and that Paul learned magic in exchange for sexual favors.

The catholic priest in Deptford. Dunstan goes to him after the war to ask about the possible sainthood of Mrs. Dempster, and Father Regan finds it ludicrous that a Presbyterian like Dunstan would have anything to say anything about saints.

The children of Boy and Leola. David eventually becomes a student and Colborne College, were Dunstan teaches.

Mrs. Dempster’s aunt, who cares for her after Mr. Dempster dies.

The lawyer who executes Bertha Shanklin’s estate. He is an avid hunter, who maintained appearances even when he lost most of his wealth in the depression. He eventually kills himself with a hunting rifle.

The doctor who delivers Paul Dempster and looks after Willy Ramsay. He mocks Dunstan for believing that Willy was brought back from the dead.