Who are the significant women in Dunstan's life and what impact do they have on him?

The significant women in Dunstan’s life, including his mother, Mary Dempsey, and later, Diana, play crucial roles in shaping his understanding of complex themes such as love, sacrifice, and duty. Throughout "Fifth Business," these relationships profoundly influence Dunstan's psychological development and spiritual journey. For instance, his mother's religious fervor and the expectations placed upon him imbue his life with a sense of duty and guilt, steering his actions and choices.

Mary Dempsey’s unwavering belief in the importance of sacrifice shapes Dunstan's moral compass and his understanding of what it means to love selflessly. Similarly, his bond with Diana serves as a catalyst for his exploration of romantic love, illuminating the nuances of desire, loss, and the sacrifices inherent in love. Through these relationships, Dunstan grapples with the complexities of his identity and it's these themes of love, duty, and sacrifice that resonate throughout the novel, emphasizing the integral role women play in his narrative and character development.

While other options touch on important aspects of Dunstan's life, such as emotional support or professional success, the depth of impact these women have in shaping his philosophical and emotional landscapes concerning love and duty stands out as particularly significant in the narrative.