Themes
what are the main themes for chapter 3?
Religion, Faith and Morality
Love and interpersonal relationships
Meaning of success
Guilt and sacrifice
Who is Paul Dempster?
a renowned magician and former circus performer., Mary Dempster's son
Paul Dempster's and Mary Dempster's
an estranged familial relationship, as Paul blames Mary for his birth
why is the theme of religion so important to Dunstan's character?
His religious beliefs provide him with an ethical framework to evaluate his actions and those of others. This framework is crucial in his interactions and moral judgments, which also influences how he thinks and acts.
Who is the Fool-Saint?
This mythological figure is a recurrent symbol representing transformation and wisdom in the novel.
How does Dunstan feel about Boy?
Dunstan admires Boy's charisma, confidence, and success, but he also feels overshadowed and envious of Boy's achievements and social status. Their friendship is marked by a sense of competition, and Boy's materialistic values often clash with Dunstan's more introspective and spiritual nature.
How does the novel blur the lines between myth, mysticism, and reality through its religious motifs and symbols?
Dunstan's fascination with saints and hagiography leads him to view his life through a mystical lens, as seen in his encounters with saint-like figures and supernatural experiences. Characters like Paul Dempster take on mythic qualities, embodying themes of transformation and rebirth. The figure of the Fool-Saint, Mrs. Dempster, becomes a symbol of redemption and suffering, elevating her to a mystical status in Dunstan's eyes. The novel's structure shifts between mundane events and mystical revelations, making it difficult to discern where reality ends and myth begins.
why does Dunstan opt to teach boys?
Dunstan goes into teaching so that he may live a certain kind of life, that he may be free to travel and explore his passions. He chooses a boys' school because he has “never wanted to teach girls.” It is also possible he turns to teaching because he is still stuck, emotionally and intellectually, on the problem of his own boyhood, and teaching boys is a way for him to feed that question is his mind.
why does Dunstan envy Leola and Boy?
Both characters represent different aspects of a life that Dunstan feels he has missed out on or cannot achieve, leading to his complex feelings of envy. Dunstan although harbors no romantic feelings for Leola, wishes to attain the same social standing they have.