John Knowles 'A Separate Peace': Character Analysis

“ When you love something it loves you back in whatever way it has to love” (Knowles, pg. 111). The novel A Separate Peace focuses on the special bond between the two main characters, Gene and Phineas. Although these two have little in common, they stick together and often obsess over one another. This leads the reader to believe that there are ulterior motives in relation to their close friendship. The relationship between Gene and Phineas is one more than normal friendship because of the blatant obsession Gene held for Phineas, Gene’s confusing emotions towards Phineas, and the way in which Phineas is described to the reader. As the story progresses, Gene’s obsession with Phineas becomes incredibly apparent to the reader. “ I lost a part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the start: to become part of Phineas” (Knowles, pg. 85). This quote shows the overbearing emotions expressed by Gene towards Phineas. This level of comfort is not usually found in traditional friendships, but in closer more romantic …show more content…
This often causes negative thoughts or outbursts directed at Phineas from Gene. Although Gene struggles with his emotions, he does not quite seem to understand them and certainly does not feel comfortable with them. “Any fear I had of the tree was nothing beside this. It wasn’t my neck but my understanding which was menaced” (Knowles, pg. 59). This quote highlights Gene’s confusion. He does not understand why his friendship with Phineas functions when he constantly has conflicting feelings about him. No matter how many times Gene is panged with hatred towards Phineas, he is strangely drawn to him. Perhaps Gene is not angry with Phineas, but with how Phineas makes him feel. Confusion similar to this often rings true to many relationships in which one party does not wish to like the other, but does so