WhatÕs in a Name?

In Fifth Business, many of the characters change their names as their lives develop. Those who change their names are Paul Dempster, Percy Boyd Staunton, and Dunstable Ramsay. They all change their identity to suit their new names in a way. Paul Dempster becomes more powerful as Magnus Eisengrim, Percy Boyd Staunton stays forever youthful as Boy, and Dunstable becomes more spiritual as Dunstan. They have all taken on qualities that most humans long to have, power, youth and spirituality.

Paul Dempster was a baby who was born prematurely. His father, Amasa Dempster was a Baptist minister and his mother Mary Dempster was somewhat of a tramp. That right there is enough for anyone to want to change their identity. As the story continues, Paul feels immense guilt that his mother is that way as a result of his premature birth. When PaulÕs father dies of a flu epidemic when Paul is nine, Paul runs away to join the circus which is called Le grand Cirque forain de St. Vite. There he meets Willard the Wizard, a thief who teaches Paul magic, in return Paul must do sexual favors. Paul now changes his name to Faust

These three characters have gone through an identity change along with their name changes. It is funny how when both Percy Boyd Staunton and Dunstable Ramsay have shortened their names, where as Paul DempsterÕs name had lengthened both times. Each character seemed to go through significant personality changes along with the change in their names. Each one has achieved their ideal traits, and retransformed their lives. Paul had become more powerful as Faustus LeGrand, and even more so as Magnus Eisengrim. Percy had kept himself youthful as Boy, or perhaps it only seemed that way because he was murdered at an age that could still be considered youthful. Therefore not really giving him a chance to get very old or unattractive. Finally, Dunny gained the wisdom and spirituality as he took on the name Dunstan, after a saint. They have all successfully made their identity and name transitions.

Percy Boyd Staunton, or ÒPidgy Boy-BoyÓ as he is nicknamed by his mother, as a child took an egg shaped stone, placed it in a snowball and threw it at Dunstable Ramsay, his friend, because he was jealous that Dunny had a better sled than he did. Unfortunately, the snowball did not hit Dunny, but Mrs.Dempster, thus causing her to go into early labour and rendering her a bit mentally unstable. Having done such a thing he then repressed all knowledge of having done it and any knowledge of the Dempsters all together. Later on, Percy changes his name to Boy shortly after university. This perhaps has to do with his love of youth and his value of appearances. By changing his name to Boy it will

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1075
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)