What is the role of Leisl in the development of Dunstan Ramsey?
Leisl act as a mentor of Dunstan Ramsey who helps him to emerge his personality as well as draws him into a world of physicality and irrational wonder. She praises Dunstan and draws confidences out of him, making Dunstan to believe that more than one kind of magic can happen. “There is more than one kind of magic. This speech had the effect of revealing to me that Leisl was not nearly as ugly as I had thought, and was indeed a woman of captivating intellect and charm…” (Davies 209) Leisl demonstrates to Dunstan the magic and beauty of mechanics by telling him that what is out of sight is not appreciated by others. Besides, she explains to Dunstan that he loves Mrs. Dempster because he despises everyone else. Also, Leisl helps Dunstan to ease some of the burden he has carried with him for his life. Leisl’s conversations function as mirrors which gives Dunstan valuable opinion for his life. Dunstan learns that one should pay a high price for secrecy and he has noticed that it is the secrecy in his life that affected him most. “There is really no such thing as a secret; everybody likes to tell, and everybody does tell…you have paid such a price and you look like a man full of secrets- grim-mouthed and buttoned-up and hard-eyed and cruel, because you are cruel to yourself. It has done you good to tell what you know; you look much more human already”(Davies 217) As a result, Leisl is important in helping Dunstan Ramsay to be reborn as well as helping him to relieve himself of his burden and mature.
How does the life of Leisl relates to Jung’s theory of individuation?
According to Jungian psychology, the development of Dunstan Ramsey is related to the psychological rebirth, which is identified as individuation. In Fifth business, Robertson Davies shows the rise, peak and decent of the protagonist, Dunstan Ramsey. Leisl is one of the important characters that successfully fulfilled the role of...