Statistics show 1 in 100 children are psychopaths. Traits of a psychopath include participating in adrenaline filled activities, becoming paranoid of those close to you, the desire to be seen as superior, and finally the lack of empathy. These traits add up, and reflect Gene as he grows in a negative way. While Gene struggles to accept and come to the self realization of the evil inside him, John Knowles exposes the psychopathic tendencies flowing throughout all people, specifically Gene.
From the very beginning, Gene Forrester wasn't a kid one would target as a psychopath. In fact, he was a good kid with high goals and a mindset heading the right way. Unsusceptible to any accusations of being anywhere near dangerous. After going to an innocent …show more content…
While Finny is stuck in the hospital after his second accident, Gene has a chance to admit to Finny just as much as he's admitting to himself who he really is. Before Gene can say anything, Finny verbally slaps Gene in the face and says, “‘You want to break something else in me! Is that why you're here!’” (Knowles 184). Knowles cleverly shows that one must hear the truth from someone they're close to in order to understand it themself. Due to Finny’s outburst at Gene, it changed who Gene became after the encounter. The spark had been ignited for Gene to discover himself and take responsibility for his actions. Knowles proves that even those who have done wrong in their life have a chance to fix it. Consequently, Gene never gets the chance to give the apology Finny deserves. Truthfully, this left Gene in ruins internally while he kept a cold face on the outside. After Finny dies, Gene attends his funeral and states, “I could not escape the feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case.” (Knowles 194). Another piece of Gene that gives reason to believe he doesn't care about Finny. He’s self absorbed and unable to feel emotions other than those that are negative, similar to how a psychopath or sociopath would behave. Even after Finny’s death Gene proves he needs to cling onto someone like a parasite in order to function. Due to Finny’s death, Gene is forced to accept who he is from that moment on until adulthood. By keeping your true thoughts inside, it can corrupt your way of life and leave you behaving poorly, or in this case,
From the very beginning, Gene Forrester wasn't a kid one would target as a psychopath. In fact, he was a good kid with high goals and a mindset heading the right way. Unsusceptible to any accusations of being anywhere near dangerous. After going to an innocent …show more content…
While Finny is stuck in the hospital after his second accident, Gene has a chance to admit to Finny just as much as he's admitting to himself who he really is. Before Gene can say anything, Finny verbally slaps Gene in the face and says, “‘You want to break something else in me! Is that why you're here!’” (Knowles 184). Knowles cleverly shows that one must hear the truth from someone they're close to in order to understand it themself. Due to Finny’s outburst at Gene, it changed who Gene became after the encounter. The spark had been ignited for Gene to discover himself and take responsibility for his actions. Knowles proves that even those who have done wrong in their life have a chance to fix it. Consequently, Gene never gets the chance to give the apology Finny deserves. Truthfully, this left Gene in ruins internally while he kept a cold face on the outside. After Finny dies, Gene attends his funeral and states, “I could not escape the feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case.” (Knowles 194). Another piece of Gene that gives reason to believe he doesn't care about Finny. He’s self absorbed and unable to feel emotions other than those that are negative, similar to how a psychopath or sociopath would behave. Even after Finny’s death Gene proves he needs to cling onto someone like a parasite in order to function. Due to Finny’s death, Gene is forced to accept who he is from that moment on until adulthood. By keeping your true thoughts inside, it can corrupt your way of life and leave you behaving poorly, or in this case,