Loss of Innocence Loss of innocence is an inevitable part of growing up. However, in A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene is exposed to the outside world and realizes humanity’s capabilities before other boys his age. Although, the Devon School shelters the boys from the war and preserves their innocence, Gene is exposed to the outside world and the war going on. This causes Gene to realize the evil of man in society and himself. Gene’s experiences at Devon represent a loss of innocence as he reaches adulthood.
Devon’s isolation from the rest of the world allows the boys to preserve their innocence and remain children without the burden of the war. Gene realizes, “We were careless and wild, and I suppose we could be thought of as a sign of life the war was being fought to preserve. Anyway, they were more indulgent toward us than at any other time; they snapped at the heels of the seniors, driving and molding and arming for the war. They noticed our games tolerantly. We reminded them of what peace was like, of lives were not bound up with destruction.” (Knowles 17¬) Devon insulates the boys from the encroachment of war and preserves their innocence by protecting them from destruction. The teachers allow the boys to play, to preserve their purity and …show more content…
In spite of Devon trying to insulate the boys from the outside world and preserving their childhood, Gene is still exposed to the looming threats and witnesses the war and destruction occurring. He begins to realize the evilness of people and to further understand human behaviour. Loss of innocence is inevitable and a normal part of maturing but Gene lost his innocence before he was ready like his peers and many of children during war. They learned of the evil of man before they could really comprehend. Gene’s reflections are an attempt to explain his innocent adolescent world to the adult world he and his peers
Devon’s isolation from the rest of the world allows the boys to preserve their innocence and remain children without the burden of the war. Gene realizes, “We were careless and wild, and I suppose we could be thought of as a sign of life the war was being fought to preserve. Anyway, they were more indulgent toward us than at any other time; they snapped at the heels of the seniors, driving and molding and arming for the war. They noticed our games tolerantly. We reminded them of what peace was like, of lives were not bound up with destruction.” (Knowles 17¬) Devon insulates the boys from the encroachment of war and preserves their innocence by protecting them from destruction. The teachers allow the boys to play, to preserve their purity and …show more content…
In spite of Devon trying to insulate the boys from the outside world and preserving their childhood, Gene is still exposed to the looming threats and witnesses the war and destruction occurring. He begins to realize the evilness of people and to further understand human behaviour. Loss of innocence is inevitable and a normal part of maturing but Gene lost his innocence before he was ready like his peers and many of children during war. They learned of the evil of man before they could really comprehend. Gene’s reflections are an attempt to explain his innocent adolescent world to the adult world he and his peers