What does Dunstan learn about personal destiny throughout the novel?

Dunstan Ramsay's journey throughout "Fifth Business" illustrates the theme of personal destiny being shaped by individual choices and experiences. Throughout the novel, Dunstan reflects on his life and the profound influence that both his decisions and external events have on his path. His experiences, such as his relationships with others and his acknowledgment of guilt and responsibility, guide him toward self-discovery and fulfillment.

Dunstan's choices, such as his decision to embrace his role as a "fifth business" or facilitator in others' lives, lead him to deeper insights about himself and the world around him. This understanding emphasizes the idea that while certain events may shape a person's life, it is ultimately one's own choices and responses to those events that create a sense of personal destiny. Hence, the notion that personal destiny is entirely determined by external factors or is irrelevant to happiness does not fully align with Dunstan's experiences and realizations. The concept of destiny as predetermined and unchangeable also contradicts the dynamic and evolving nature of Dunstan's own life story.