September 1, 1939 was the start of a very gruesome and saddening World War II. A Separate Peace by John Knowles is set during World War II, 1942 to be exact, following Gene Forrester as he struggles with identity, friendships, and jealousy while tagging along with his best bud, Phineas, who goes by Finny. During the war, Gene and Finny are studying at Devon School, a dormitory for young boys, during its summer session. Since the war is happening around them at that time, it starts to have an effect on Gene and Finny, as well as some of their friends. The effect of the war might even change them for the rest of their lives. First off, is Elwin Lepellier, better known as Leper, one of Gene’s friends. Leper is very fascinated with the war and is very interested in it. He is very fascinated by nature and the outdoors. He is also very timid and quiet, which is way it came as a shock to the others when they found out that Leper was the first to enlist in the army among their group of friends. After a while of being in the army he ends up escaping and is absent without leave. Leper immediately sends
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He always looks good, dresses well, and speaks to anyone with ease. He was a natural born leader and used to being in charge. All of his friends thought he would be the one to enlist first in army before any of them and he was going to enlist. But his thought on war slowly changes and he becomes a different person. He turns into a bit of a rebel. It is interesting because in the beginning of the novel he is seen as someone who is responsible and more mature than the other boys but towards the end of the novel with him forgetting about his earlier ideas of war and wanting to enlist shows how much he has grown throughout the book. He tells Gene about his father’s part in the war happening, “He and his crowd are responsible for it! And we’re going to fight it” (190)! He shows maturity by rejecting the war and not embracing
He always looks good, dresses well, and speaks to anyone with ease. He was a natural born leader and used to being in charge. All of his friends thought he would be the one to enlist first in army before any of them and he was going to enlist. But his thought on war slowly changes and he becomes a different person. He turns into a bit of a rebel. It is interesting because in the beginning of the novel he is seen as someone who is responsible and more mature than the other boys but towards the end of the novel with him forgetting about his earlier ideas of war and wanting to enlist shows how much he has grown throughout the book. He tells Gene about his father’s part in the war happening, “He and his crowd are responsible for it! And we’re going to fight it” (190)! He shows maturity by rejecting the war and not embracing