Friendship In A Separate Peace By John Knowles

What is friendship? Friendship is a simple relationship based on trust and understanding. In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the term “friendship” occurs between the two main characters, Gene Forrester and Finny. The boys’ friendship is heavily driven by competition and this can lead to a negative connotation of their relationship with each other. However, as the story unfolds, their relationship evolves from being so innocent and pure to one being misunderstood and rivalry driven.
There is a theme of innocence in the novel, and it is portrayed with Finny and Gene. Gene being a young conformist. Follows the rules, meticulous, obedient, and does well in school. He gets his goody-two-shoes wall infiltrated by Finny with his spontaneous and daring activities. Finny was shown as the truly innocent character throughout the novel. Never having a bad intention and motive, and only wanting the best for his dorm mate/best friend.
As the story proceeds on, we see a loss of innocence and the boy’s friendship go through thick and thin. The misunderstanding aspect of their relationship is caused by the rising hostility and envy from Gene. An issue Gene has created by himself, by starting an inner competition …show more content…
As it was believed by peers that Gene had deliberately jounced the tree branch he and Finny where standing on to injure Finny. This act shows the theme loss of innocence. Genes subconscious and jealousy had gotten the best of him. Which caused him to do an act he would regret. Being submerged in his own guilt, and Leper condemns his guilt as “the savage underneath,” Gene had confessed to the act but Finny wouldn’t believe it and simply dismissed it altogether. Blinded by a bias thought that his “best friend” would betray him let alone hurt him. After Brinker’s trials, and Finny’s second fall, distraught over the truth that Gene had really caused his first