Summary Of The Fifth Child By Doris Lessing. - "The Fifth Child" By Doris May Lessing

Summary

In 'The Fifth Child' by Doris Lessing, Harriet and David, a young couple, decide to have a large family and move to a large house outside London. Their fifth child, Ben, is born with a mysterious and violent nature, causing distress and forcing them to consider institutionalizing him. As Ben grows, the family struggles with his behavior, seeking help from experts and trying to integrate him into society.

Takeaways

• 💑 David and Harriet fall in love and decide to marry, with a surprising goal of having a large family.
• 🏠 They find a large house outside London, but it requires financial support from family and a delay in starting their family.
• 👶 Harriet becomes pregnant with their first child, Luke, and they rely on family for financial and childcare support.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The family grows with the births of Helen, Jane, Paul, and Amy, each event marked by family gatherings and tensions.
• 🤰 Harriet's fifth pregnancy is unusually difficult, leading to the birth of Ben, a child unlike any other in the family.
• 👶 Ben's behavior is cruel and violent from an early age, causing distress and fear within the family.
• 🏥 Harriet seeks medical help for Ben, but the doctors are unable to provide a clear diagnosis or solution.
• 👪 The family dynamics change as Harriet and David struggle with Ben's presence, affecting their relationships with other family members.
• 🏡 Ben's presence leads to a decrease in family visits and a sense of isolation for Harriet and David.
• 🚑 After a difficult decision, Ben is placed in an institution, but Harriet's guilt leads her to bring him back home.
• 👦 As Ben grows older, he forms a group of friends, but his behavior continues to be a concern for the family.
• 🏆 Author Doris Lessing's life was marked by activism and a prolific writing career, including winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Q & A

How did David and Harriet meet and what was their initial plan after marriage?

David and Harriet met at their office Christmas party and fell in love. After deciding to get married, they planned to look for a house outside of London to settle down and start a family, with a surprising goal of having up to 10 children.

What financial challenges did David and Harriet face when purchasing their house?

The house they found was huge and exactly what they wanted, but it was also expensive. They faced the challenge of needing to wait a few years before they could afford to start a family, which would allow them to have a double income until David's income increased at his design firm.

How did the family dynamics change with the arrival of Harriet and David's children?

The family dynamics changed significantly with the arrival of their children. Family visits became more frequent, and there were various tensions and support systems in place, such as asking for financial help from David's father and Harriet's mother for childcare.

What was the significance of Amy's birth and how did it impact the family's perspective on Harriet and David's decision to have more children?

Amy's birth was significant because she was born with Down Syndrome. This led the family, including Williams, to suggest that Harriet and David should stop having children, but Harriet insisted on waiting three more years before having more.

How did Harriet's pregnancy with the fifth child differ from her previous pregnancies?

Harriet's fifth pregnancy was notably different as it was especially hard for her. The child was unusually active in the womb, moving around a lot and seemingly trying to tear its way out of her stomach.

What was unique about Ben, the fifth child, and how did his behavior affect the family?

Ben was unique in that he was born with extraordinary strength, looked like a caveman, and was cruel in his actions. His behavior was a source of concern and fear for the family, leading to a decrease in family visits and causing Harriet and David to consider institutionalizing him.

Why did Harriet and David consider institutionalizing Ben and what was Harriet's reaction to the idea?

They considered institutionalizing Ben due to his violent and unpredictable behavior, which was a danger to others and a source of distress for the family. Harriet was initially against the idea, fearing that Ben wouldn't survive long in such a place.

What was the turning point for Harriet regarding her feelings towards Ben and how did she change her approach?

The turning point for Harriet was when she saw Ben in a hospital, restrained and neglected, which made her realize she had to bring him home. She changed her approach by threatening to send him back to the hospital, which helped curb his behavior.

How did the family's attitude towards Ben evolve over time and what were some of the consequences?

The family's attitude towards Ben evolved from initial concern and fear to a desire to distance themselves from him. The consequences included the other children wanting to go to boarding school, and family members like Molly and Frederick not forgiving Harriet for bringing Ben back from the hospital.

What was the impact of Ben's presence on Harriet and David's relationship and family life?

Ben's presence had a significant impact on Harriet and David's relationship and family life. It led to increased stress, disagreements about how to handle Ben, and a decrease in the quality of family interactions, with other children locking themselves in their room to avoid Ben.

What was the outcome of seeking professional help for Ben and how did it affect Harriet?

The outcome of seeking professional help was not as expected. Dr. Gilly, an expert, suggested that the problem was that Harriet didn't like Ben very much, which was a distressing revelation for Harriet and did not provide a clear solution to Ben's issues.