It is a part of human nature to desire the preservation of youth, in both appearance and personality. Children are able to have a simple and positive view of the world because of their innocent natures. We fruitlessly attempt to protect the innocence of childhood as we mature into adults. The main characters in both A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, and Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, are young men experiencing the difficulties of adolescence. They envy the purity that they see around them as they conclude their own childhood. Though Holden and Gene initially attempt to preserve the simplicity of childhood, they are faced with the harsh nature of reality and eventually realize that innocence can not last forever.
As Holden and Gene …show more content…
They both yearn to be able to see the world in the positive light that children do. Throughout A Separate Peace, Finny is able to see the goodness in people and is not afraid that they will hurt or judge them. Because of his innocent view of the world, Finny has confidence around other students and teachers and is able to charm anyone he meets. Gene is captivated by Finny’s charisma and observes that “it was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn’t help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal” (Knowles 25). Because of Gene’s insecurities, he is unable to view people in the positive light that Finny can and he lacks confidence in himself. Gene envies Finny’s naivete and his confidence around others. Similarly, throughout Catcher in the Rye, Holden is envious of the innocence that he sees around him and seeks to …show more content…
In A Separate Peace, the shattering of Finny’s leg begins his downfall and leads to the destruction of innocence. Finny is the epitome of childhood simplicity in the novel, and he represents what is left of Gene’s innocence. When Gene jounces the limb of the tree and causes Finny’s leg to shatter, this represents the initial shattering of Gene’s innocence. This initial destruction of Finny’s perfect world causes cracks in his innocence. He realizes that life may not be as perfect and easy as he once thought and begins to doubt his friendship with Gene. Similar to the way in which the shttering of Finny’s leg shows Gene that innocence can not last, the shattering of the Little Shirley Beans record in Catcher in the Rye teaches Holden that childhood can not be preserved. The record is a symbol of innocence and childhood that can be replayed over and over again to last forever. The record represents Holden’s hope that innocence can last forever but “it breaks into about fifty pieces. It is in a big envelope and all, but it breaks anyway” (Salinger 170). Despite the fact that Holden attempted to protect the record by sheltering it with an envelope, the record shatters anyways. This shows Holden that no matter how adamantly he attempts to protect the innocence of children, it is impossible to protect them
As Holden and Gene …show more content…
They both yearn to be able to see the world in the positive light that children do. Throughout A Separate Peace, Finny is able to see the goodness in people and is not afraid that they will hurt or judge them. Because of his innocent view of the world, Finny has confidence around other students and teachers and is able to charm anyone he meets. Gene is captivated by Finny’s charisma and observes that “it was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn’t help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal” (Knowles 25). Because of Gene’s insecurities, he is unable to view people in the positive light that Finny can and he lacks confidence in himself. Gene envies Finny’s naivete and his confidence around others. Similarly, throughout Catcher in the Rye, Holden is envious of the innocence that he sees around him and seeks to …show more content…
In A Separate Peace, the shattering of Finny’s leg begins his downfall and leads to the destruction of innocence. Finny is the epitome of childhood simplicity in the novel, and he represents what is left of Gene’s innocence. When Gene jounces the limb of the tree and causes Finny’s leg to shatter, this represents the initial shattering of Gene’s innocence. This initial destruction of Finny’s perfect world causes cracks in his innocence. He realizes that life may not be as perfect and easy as he once thought and begins to doubt his friendship with Gene. Similar to the way in which the shttering of Finny’s leg shows Gene that innocence can not last, the shattering of the Little Shirley Beans record in Catcher in the Rye teaches Holden that childhood can not be preserved. The record is a symbol of innocence and childhood that can be replayed over and over again to last forever. The record represents Holden’s hope that innocence can last forever but “it breaks into about fifty pieces. It is in a big envelope and all, but it breaks anyway” (Salinger 170). Despite the fact that Holden attempted to protect the record by sheltering it with an envelope, the record shatters anyways. This shows Holden that no matter how adamantly he attempts to protect the innocence of children, it is impossible to protect them