The Fifth Child
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Pages 3 – 33 Pages 33 – 74 Pages 74 – 96 Pages 96 – 133
Themes
All Themes Nature vs. Nurture Idealism vs. Pragmatism Conformity and Otherness Biological Families vs. Nontraditional Families Happiness vs. Contentment
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Harriet Lovatt David Lovatt Ben Lovatt Dorothy Paul Lovatt Luke Lovatt Helen Lovatt James Lovatt Molly John Frederick Deborah Sarah Amy William Bridget
Symbols
All Symbols The Victorian House The Institution
Download PDF
Download Teacher Edition
The LitCharts.com logo.
Sign In Sign up for A+
The LitCharts.com logo.
AI Tools
  • Ask LitCharts AI
  • Discussion Question Generator
  • Essay Prompt Generator
  • Quiz Question Generator
Guides Guides
  • Literature Guides
  • Poetry Guides
  • Shakespeare Translations
  • Literary Terms
Sign In Sign up for A+ Sign up

The Fifth Child

by

Doris Lessing

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Pages 3 – 33
  • Pages 33 – 74
  • Pages 74 – 96
  • Pages 96 – 133
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Nature vs. Nurture Theme Icon
    Nature vs. Nurture
  • Idealism vs. Pragmatism Theme Icon
    Idealism vs. Pragmatism
  • Conformity and Otherness Theme Icon
    Conformity and Otherness
  • Biological Families vs. Nontraditional Families Theme Icon
    Biological Families vs. Nontraditional Families
  • Happiness vs. Contentment Theme Icon
    Happiness vs. Contentment
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Harriet Lovatt
  • David Lovatt
  • Ben Lovatt
  • Dorothy
  • Paul Lovatt
  • Luke Lovatt
  • Helen Lovatt
  • James Lovatt
  • Molly
  • John
  • Frederick
  • Deborah
  • Sarah
  • Amy
  • William
  • Bridget
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • The Victorian House Symbol Icon
    The Victorian House
  • The Institution Symbol Icon
    The Institution
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)

The Fifth Child Study Guide

It's easy to cite LitCharts for use in academic papers and reports.


MLA

Jemc, Jac. "The Fifth Child." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 23 Feb 2018. Web. 24 Jun 2025.


Chicago

Jemc, Jac. "The Fifth Child." LitCharts LLC, February 23, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2025. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-fifth-child.

Company
About Us Our Story Jobs
Support
Help Center Contact Us
Connect
Facebook Twitter
Legal
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Privacy Request
Home About Contact Help
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Terms Privacy Privacy Request
The LitCharts.com logo.
Save time. Stress less.
Sign up!
  • AI Tools for on-demand study help and teaching prep.
  • Quote explanations, with page numbers, for over 47,774 quotes.
  • PDF downloads of all 2,148 LitCharts guides.
  • Expert analysis to take your reading to the next level.
  • Advanced search to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
  • Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.
  • Expert analysis to take your reading to the next level.
  • Advanced search to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
  • Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.
The LitCharts.com logo.
Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to request a guide
Already have an account? Sign in
The LitCharts.com logo.
Get your answer with a free account
You’ll also get tons of other helpful features, including free quizzes and saving guides.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Last step: complete your free account
Already have an account? Sign in
The LitCharts.com logo.
Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account.
You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to access notes and highlights
Already have an account? Sign in
The LitCharts.com logo.
Saving guides requires a free LitCharts account
Easily access your saved guides anytime.

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to save guides
Already have an account? Sign in