The book a Separate Peace by John Knowles is a historical fiction book. In this book it shows how the relationship between two characters Gene and Finny. How one another impacted their friendship through broken bones, to having to change your dreams to carry on one another, to being the Valedictorian.…
The homoerotic tension in A Separate Peace that exists between Gene and Finny creates the central problem in the novel. Gene is unable to come to terms with how he feels about Finny and this leads to an extremely unhealthy relationship that leads to disastrous consequences for Finny. Gene idolizes Finny throughout the novel, because of the tension that exists between them, and this leads to Finny, in Gene’s mind, as becoming an unobtainable, perfect person. Gene, unable to deal with the fact that Finny could be too good for him, reacts very negatively to this idea. Gene glorifies Finny into a perfect person which Gene thinks he can never be good enough for, this leads to an unhealthy obsession of Finny’s personality that evolves into a dangerous…
When Finny, in an imaginative reversal, declares his belief that there is no bombing in Europe, Gene comes to share in Finny's vision of a world set apart from conflict. As the two boys cross the forested campus on their way to the river, Gene gazes up at the sheltering elm trees, which seem to him to extend endlessly into the heavens and northward almost indefinitely. For Gene, at this moment, Devon — the "tame fringe of the last and greatest wilderness" — becomes a kind of Eden, where the thought of war seems impossible, even absurd. But in the midst of this Eden, there already lurks deep in Gene's heart a type of original sin — his growing envy and resentment of Finny.…
As the book concludes, Gene is now free of the guilt he owned throughout the book. From causing Finny to break his leg and cripple him for life to ultimately his death, Gene has always felt guilty for his actions. Now, this guilt has dissipated for him. For example, on the last page of the novel, Gene states that “I killed my enemy” (204). His enemy could represent Finny, because by the end of the book, he dies.…
This resulted in Finny becoming maimed. In the beginning of the novel Gene is very paranoid, but, later in the story, he starts to…
In this quotation it shows how the two friends Gene and Finny achieve their separate peace by moving on in life or either they die when they go through the stage of maturity. Out of the two friends Gene is the character who achieve his own peace throughout the story. Gene often finds himself seeing Finny’s crazy vision of relaxation and how he would daydream about the 1944 Olympics. Gene gets tormented by the guilt he had over his friend Finny’s accident and had to get a surgery to get it fixed.…
Finny had practically saved my life” (Knowles, 24). Gene and Finny’s relationship is strong, and they are both ardent…
Finny does not believe him; thus, Gene decides to carry this guilt with him; without letting anyone know that he is responsible for Finny’s leg to…
This “Separate Peace” that Finny says in the book that Finny is the essence of, is gone now. ○ This discussion has made me rethink the book in ways that I could not have by “just reading it”. When I read, I tend to argue with myself in my head, and then I might settle on one opinion that I feel that I have enough evidence to share and prove it. But this discussion has given me more to think about; Is Gene the “good guy” or the “bad guy”?…
In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, two symbols that are key to the novel are the two rivers; Devon and Naguamsett. The Devon River is perceived to be immaculate and more pure than the Naguamsett, which Gene views himself as, and Finny as the perfect Devon. In the novel, Gene felt as if Finny was always the entertaining person and he was the complete opposite. The rivers were always compared to each other much like Gene and Finny. The Devon was often referred to as “… the fresh water Devon…where [they] had so much fun, all the summer”…
He learns to accept his flaws and imperfections, and stops comparing himself to others; hence, Gene reaches a state of “separate peace” because he can now peacefully accept himself as he is without insanely striving to be someone else. Unlike the other characters, Gene is able to reach peace through the experiences of others and at the Devon School. Gene reflects, “…My war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there” (Knowles 196). He fights his battle, his need to accept himself against his…
Peace may be achieved in many different ways, one is by breaking down an enemy. The only way for Gene to find peace is to break down his enemy who is thought to be his best friend, Finny. Jealousy is a feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages. Gene slowly becomes jealous of his roommate Finny because of his charisma and his ability to be liked by everyone and get away with anything. Not only is Gene jealous of Finnys personality, but he also envy’s that he is a top athlete at Devon.…
Gene felt Finny had protected him, and making his fear go away. Finny’s quick thinking actions saved Gene from falling and this creates a special bond between the two of them. Finny helping Gene in the scenarios creates a connection between them to show each other that they will be there for…
World War II as a Symbol in A Separate Peace In A Separate Peace, John Knowles uses World War II to symbolize denial of conflict and feelings, the reality of impending adulthood, and internal conflict in the minds of Gene and Finny. The war and the question of whether or not to enlist are omnipresent worries in the minds of the boys at the Devon School in New Hampshire. Although World War II is a major conflict in the novel, the various forms of strife it symbolizes are much more significant in the development of Knowles’ story. World War II symbolizes denial in many forms. For much of the novel, Finny refuses to believe that the war actually exists, referring to the combat as “nothing more than a ploy concocted by fat, old, wealthy men” (Adney…
Gene and Finny are a prime example of how friendships are always cheerful. The theme of friendship is significant in A Separate Peace because it emphasizes the jealousy between Gene and Finny, it shows how friendship is forced to change overtime, and it makes the boys show who they truly are. Jealousy between Gene and Finny almost separates them at times.…