The relationship between Phineas and Gene seemed as if it was more of a romantic one rather than the friendly relationship they claim to have in the book. Gene is extremely aware of everything that Phineas does but he is also extremely aware of Phineas’ physical features. It appears as if Gene is actually mesmerized by his physical beauty. Phineas, or Finny, was described to have the “back muscles working like a panther’s” (Knowles 16) and a “cordial, penetrating voice” (Knowles 17) by Gene. Phineas liked the fact that Gene had the ability to take him by surprise “when [Gene] jumped on top of him, [Gene’s] knees on his chest, he couldn’t ask for anything better” (Knowles 19). Gene would go into situations he wasn’t really comfortable in but
