Parallel to the ancient greek phoenix Gene rose from his ashes and was reborn into a new being. In the book A Separate Peace Gene declaring that he and Finny are enemies shapes Gene into only a fragment of who he use to be. Before this Gene and Finny were as close as brothers, but afterwards they hated each other. A shared passion that followed Finny to his grave. The change in Gene after he and Finny declare war on each other is Genes most pivotal moment as it affects him then and for years to come.
Before Gene was reborn he had another life. In this past life Gene and Finny were inseparable. Gene and Finny went to the beach together, lived in the same dorm, they even formed the Super Secret Suicide Society together.