A Separate Piece By John Knowles: Character Analysis

Identity. Identity, take the first letter of identity, I, Identity is all about you and who you really are. In the novel A Separate Piece by John Knowles, Identity is a main theme and is essentially the building block for the story. Through Gene it shows how he envies Phineas and wants to be exactly like him. As typical sixteen year olds, they are trying to find their true identity, however, peer pressure always comes into play. Identity is the main theme and purpose, and it is shown commonly with Gene as his true motive is to become a part of Phineas and he ultimately envies him. First, Gene has a strong envy for Phineas, although he is tacit about this. Phineas, an athletic sixteen-year old, who has won many awards for his athletic accomplishments, is the idea of “perfect” in Gene’s head. Thus, this frustrates Gene and makes him retaliate against his friend. For example, to be more like Phineas he follows him and does whatever he does. Likewise, with the Super Summer Suicide Session, which consisted of life-risking games such as jumping out of a tree. Although, he does …show more content…
He finally finds his “rhythm”, his personality. Therefore, Gene knows that he is changing. For example, he says, “[Phineas] seemed older that morning, and leaning quietly against that great tree wrapped in his heavy coat, he seemed smaller too. Or perhaps it was only that I, inside the same body, had felt myself all at once grown bigger” (121). Thus, meaning that Gene has finally gained his confidence and becoming a new person. This is the first instance in the book where Gene recognizes his own identity. Eventually, by the end of the book, when Phineas has passed, he is himself and is forced to find his own identity. Throughout, the book Gene has found his identity through Phineas. In conclusion, Gene finds his “rhythm” and his purpose, he finds his