Maturation In Gene Forrester's A Separate Peace

Time in an unalterable force that affects all beings. When discussing humans, time acts as a guideline for growth, development, maturation, and eventual demise. At birth, everything is new and there is endless potential. There is a pureness and innocence that all humans possess at birth. Following birth is development. This stage is life I classified as a rapid evolution of the mind and body. Socialization occurs and humans begin to understand how to function in society. Most humans become educated and develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. During the time of development, humans also partake in new experiences and endeavors. An exploration of sexuality and self-realization tends to occur which leads into the stage of maturation. Maturation occurs at different points in life for different people. Unfortunately, the whimsy of youth is often taken from individuals at a young age. They are often forced to grow up and fend for themselves. This may expedite the process of development …show more content…
In A Separate Peace, Gene Forrester struggles to deal with his maturation and his ability to relate to others around him. Gene has a hard time developing an identity and finding his place in society. Gene tends to be influenced by those around him, specifically by his friend and roommate Finny. Gene does not seem to have the confidence to make many important decisions and simply follows the paths of others. Finny tends to be what Gene aspires to be. Finny is a charismatic, supremely confident individual who has very little fear of authority and discipline. Gene is envious of Finny’s abilities and confidence, and Gene is often frustrated by the influence Finny has on him. Gene also appears to have deep, bordering on homosexual emotional feelings towards Finny. Gene’s struggle to find an identity and carve his own path is one that is experienced by many during their “coming of age” processes and