Review Of The Novel 'A Separate Peace' By John Knowles

Decent Essays
"A Separate Peace”, by John Knowles, is a powerful novel portraying several compelling themes. During World War Two at the Devon School in New Hampshire, Gene Forrester shows an increasing envy and resentment towards his friend Phineas because of his charisma and athletic capabilities. A sudden impulse causes Gene to make Finny tumble off a tree and shatter his leg. Finny is oblivious to what caused the accident and is in denial that Gene had a part in it until his friends make a tribunal exposing the truth. In response, Finny runs out angrily tripping on the way and breaks his leg again. Gene visits Finny and tells him the truth about the accident and the two reconcile. During an operation something goes wrong and Phineas does not make it

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