A Separate Peace By John Knowles: A Character Analysis

In classic novels, relationships developed between the main character and leading personas tend to depict a prominent theme that the readers can relate to. In the novel, A Separate Peace, negative aspects of Finny and Gene’s friendship are the main topic. Gene, the self-doubtful main character who is envious by nature, struggles with repressing his true personality with the hopes to become more pure and vibrant; he coveted the idea of become more like his potent best friend Phineas. The relationship between the two becomes codependent and dangerous as Finny lives vicariously through Gene, and Gene happily goes along with the crippled boy’s antics due to his desire to be anyone but his true self. A Separate Peace apprises the story of a friendship similar to one that anyone can fathom in their own lives, and the author, John Knowles, opens readers’ eyes to just how destructive an otherwise great friendship can be if the pair becomes too codependent, if they ignore what is going on in the outside world, and if they push away …show more content…
Phineas and Gene’s relationship was a poor one, built on envy, lies, and the imaginary. This destructive relationship harmed both of them physically and mentally, and the author, John Knowles, relates to readers who endure similar relationships while growing up. He tried to show the readers what can come of a friendship where competition is the focus and how that kind of relationship can affect a person. A Separate Peace is an old tale about human nature in friendships and rivalries, and how the two seemingly opposites work hand in hand, like Gene and Phineas. No matter the age of the novel, the message will always remain the same; every individual is entitled to act, speak, and portray their own values on their own accord, even if these actions are not favored by