What's in a name?
What's in a name? According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary a name is "a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing." As a person grows and matures, he or she develops distinguishing characteristics. For instance, if the name Buddy is mentioned, the first image which would most likely appear in a person's mind is an image of a friendly, easy-going individual. On the other hand, if the name Hercules is mentioned, an image of a strong, courageous individual would appear in a person's mind. In the novel Fifth Business, Dunstan Ramsay, Boy Staunton, and Paul Dempster experience a name change which shapes and solidifies each of their identities throughout the novel.
In accordance with the novel, Dunstan Ramsay is the first to experience a name change. Unlike Paul and Boy, Dunny did not take it upon himself to become a member of the "twice-born." While in conversation with Dunny, Diana presents the idea of a name change to him. Because it was common in that time to take your mother's maiden name as your own Christian name, Dunny did not see anything wrong with his current label. Diana suggests the name Dunstan because she notices similarities in both Dunny's and St. Dunstan's personalities. For Dunny, it is the perfect opportunity to have a fresh start in life. He wants to put his experiences in the war, and in his childhood behind him and start over. Dunny sees the similarities between himself and St. Dunstan; he begins to admire the idea of a new name. With his new name, Dunny discovers a new found freedom and a new outlook on life. He travels the world, searches for saints, and does many other things that are uncharacteristic of the old Dunstable. Throughout the course of the novel, Dunstan displays more and more of the traits associated with his new name. One trait that is common between St. Dunstan and Dunny is a quest for knowledge. Not long after his name change, Dunny decides that he will go to University in Canada and learn as much as he can about anything. He finds that this trait suits his personality and spends many years in the field of education. The second trait which Dunny displays is the ability to withstand temptation. The devilish Liesl enters Dunstan's room one night with sex on her mind. As she advances toward him, a great fight ensues. The fight concludes with Dunny grasping Liesl's nose and then twisting it, causing it to crack. Like St. Dunstan, Dunny sees through the "Devil's disguise" and remains untainted. It is apparent that Dunstan's new identity complements his old. This, however, is not true for Boy Staunton whose new identity completely consumes his old identity.
Unlike Dunny, Percy Boyd Staunton takes it upon himself to change his name. His new name of Boy comes from dropping a "d" from his middle name of Boyd. Boy changes his name for two reasons: he wants to completely forget his past life in Deptford, and because his previous name does not exemplify what he plans on becoming in life. Boy lives a materialistic life. He believes in materialistic objects. Boy is not interested in saints and mythic notions like Dunny; his only interests lie in social standing and self-image. Boy believes that his way of life is beneficial to his precious identity, but what he does not realize is that he is paving the way for a major disappointment later in his life. He gives up on his own wife because she can't be what he wants her to be; Boy drifts out of his son's life because his son does not fit the image Boy molds for him. Dunstan sums up Boy's life when he says: "Whom the gods hate they keep forever young" (247). Since Boy has no faith in the spiritual side of life, he is doomed to live the agnostic lifestyle which he creates. When Boy finally realizes that he wants out of the identity he created, it is much too late. Boy is and always will be a boy. Because of childhood incidents which occurred in Deptford, Boy Staunton plays a small role in the changing of Paul Dempster's name.
Like Boy, Paul Dempster wants to forget his life in Deptford. Paul's childhood plays a major role in the changing of his name and in his entire life. The constant persecution from the people of Deptford causes Paul to run away at a young age. He joins the circus, travels the world, learns many new languages and becomes a great magician. To mask the life which he has come from, Paul first changes his name to Faustus Legrand. For Paul, the name Faustus is simply a professional name; it does not reflect his personality at all. As Paul grows and enhances his skills as a magician, a new name is needed to reflect his new personality. Unlike his previous name, Paul does not choose his new identity, Liesl gives it to him. According to the novel, the name Magnus Eisengrim comes from an old beast fable and means "wolf." Paul is quite fond of his new name because it seems to overwhelm his audiences, just as his magic show does. In reality, Magnus is not like a wolf at all. Magnus may present himself as a strong, cunning individual on the outside, but deep inside he is still Paul Dempster. The name Paul comes from a Latin term meaning "small." So, in essence, Paul creates two separate identities for himself, one external and one internal. The external identity, "Magnus," appears in Paul's professional personality. The internal identity, "Paul," stays hidden away deep inside and does not show in Paul's outward character. There is a direct link between a person's name and a person's identity. Dunstan Ramsay is much like St. Dunstan and shows this in his everyday life. Boy Staunton is and always will be a boy. Paul Dempster, also known as Magnus Eisengrim, has two separate identities. One is evident in his outside personality and the other remains hidden inside. An identity comes with growth and experience; the name to which a person is attached provides a way to obtain both of these things in life.