Materialism in “Fifth Business” by Robertson Davies Essay

Life embodies those whose dreams are involve success. For this definition in unshoed Joe, by W.P. Kinsella, Ray lives a foregathered existence by following his dreams and pursuing the idealistic path. He helps others fulfill their meaning of conduct by traveling miles to find them and to bring them backside to his field of dreams. He risks his band to do so, ultimately being successful. On the other hand, in the impudent Fifth Business, by Robertson Davies, Boy Staunton believes that he will be very successful and will get what he wants if he is rich. Although boy succeeds in getting money and living a life of luxury, he is never truly happy. He al federal agencys tries to reach his vision, nevertheless never seems to achieve it because he does not live in a way that makes his vision a possibility Boy lives the life he wants. Throughout the novel, the rich possesses a sense of carelessness and he believes that money yields happiness. His neglectful contemplate of money and hi s literalistic attitude, eventu tout ensembley lead to the destruction and downfall of his character. Authors, W.P Kinsella and Robertson Davies contrast physicalistic and idealistic values in their novels. ?At the beginning of the novel Shoeless Joe, W.P Kinsella portrays the protagonist Ray as a good father and husband with an ambitious image.Ray Kinsella is called upon by forces left un have a go at itn to the readers and himself, to go on or so(prenominal) a physical and heart-felt journey. If you build it he will come (Kinsella, 3). When Ray first heard the voice he knew that it had a special meaning and it was presentment him to do something. At the beginning it seemed to Ray that the voice is just his own imagination, but when the voice constantly repeated he knew that it was real. From that moment Ray knew that his finishing would be to build a baseball field and he referred to Shoeless Joe. Throughout the novel, Ray Kinsella starts to believe more and more in his dre am. Initially, it seemed almost impossible, but as his belief grew, he realized that it might soon be a reality. This idea of believing in ones dreams is integral to the novel and is shown ideally in Rays character. In opposition, Robertson Davies characterizes the antagonist Boy Staunton as a materialistic individual who only(prenominal) cares most himself. When Percy Boy damage Mary Dumpsters brain, which caused premature birth, he quickly moved on and forgot about the incident.After many years, he was asked about recognition of Mrs. Dempster and he replied not at all. Why should I?(Davies,261). He focused on the negative aspects of his life. Boy is still finishing school and in theprocess of stealing Dunnys girl while he was away. By avoiding problems in his childhood Boy became a successful materialist. ?Ray Kinsellas journey began when he left his family and risked his fortune to fulfill other peoples dreams. At the end he succeeded in accomplishing his goal, but did not exp ect any award. I did it all. I listened to the voices, I did what they told me, and not once did I ask whats in it for me (Kinsella 230). He was not doing anything to please himself, but thought of others instead. He spent a parcel of money to build the field and treated other men like guests. This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn. He proved that in order to be happy there is no need to have a lot of money and material objects. He chose an ideal path rather than a material one. While Ray is in a search for inner truth and idealism, Percy is searching for outer beauty and satisfaction with his port.Boy is more concerned with change magnitude his great wealth and all the possessions money can buy, rather than his ideal well being. There is nothing more important for Boy than himself and his success. He is an egoist. We looked into each others eyes and I knew that he was afraid, and I knew also that he would fight, lie, do anything rather than admit what I knew. And I d idnt know what in the world I could do about it. He believes that he can control life by exerting his willpower. He does not clutter his headspring with useless information, and also never forgets what is useful to his advance through life. He knows women only as sexual objects, and thinks only in terms of the surface appearance of things. ? I feel rotten Ive done just about everything Ive ever planned to do, and everybody thinks Im a success moreover sometimes I wish I could get into a car and drive away from the whole damned thing. PIOTREK Daj tu citation As he gets aged(a) he realizes the sterility of acquiring more things, but unfortunately doesnt do anything in order to change. In the book Shoeless Joe, W.P. Kinsella wrote about how some people were missing something in their lives, but they found what they had been looking for when they arrived at Rays field. Ray built a baseball field to fulfill his unfulfilled dreams of the past. Rays father died when he was a teenager, s o Ray did not get to spend much time with him. Ray had forever and a day longed to see his father again and this dream came true when he built the field. Others had unquenchable dreams like Ray. Archibald Graham never got to bat in the majors, and that was what was missing in his life. Well, you know I I never got to bat in themajor leagues. I would have liked to have that chance. Just once. (Kinsella, 165). When Archie Graham came to Rays field, he found the thread that tied the meaning of his life. Eddie Scissons also had an unrealized dream, all his life he had lied about himself being the oldest living dinero Cub, but he was only looking for the recognition that he had always dreamt of having. When he came to Rays field, he no longer had to lie about himself being the oldest living Chicago Cub, for thats exactly what he became.Rays field of dreams helped fulfill the dreams of other men besides himself, and it made all the men very happy to finally find what they have been look ing for all their lives. On the other hand, in Fifth Business, Boys materialistic values destroyed his marriage and lead to his downfall. To him the reality was of life lay in external things, whereas for me the only reality was of the spirit of mind. (Davies, 114) Percy wants everyone, and everything in control, in his control. He is not able to form warm, lasting human relationship. When Boy realized that his wife is not what he wants he decides to abandon her. When Leola commits suicide Boys guilt became so great that he could no longer face it. When Boy realized that his acquisitive way of living destroyed his family and lives of others, suicide was the only way out. He was killed by the usual cabal by himself, first of all by the woman he knew by the woman he did not know by the man who granted his inmost wish and by the inevitable fifth, who was the keeper of his conscience and keeper of the stone. (Davies, 237).Both authors R.W. Kineslla and Robertson Davies contrast ideal v s. material values in their novels. They show that life based on material values is shallow and unrewarding, while believing and never giving up on dreams is the only true path to happiness.