Paradise. Some say it is the feeling of innocence. Others say it is a place of happiness. What really defines paradise and when does it end? Playwright Arthur Miller once stated, “Paradise [is]... the absence of any need to choose... action.” Furthermore, he claimed, “Paradise ends [and] innocence ends... where choice begins.” In John Knowles’s novel A Separate Peace, Leper, a vulnerable young boy attending the Devon school endures the loss of paradise as he experiences the impacts of World War II. Surrounded by soldiers and war propaganda, Leper is faced with many metamorphic choices that ultimately steal his childhood and innocence. Growing up is inevitable; however, throughout the novel, the reader follows Leper as he discovers and experiences
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As the labor shortages began to be felt at Devon, students would help by shoveling out railroads. Leper initially does not participate; instead, he skies. Before going to ski, Leper has a conversation with his classmate, Gene. Gene argues that skiing should be blood pumping and fast, but Leper contradicts, saying skiing is not supposed to be fast because that would be dangerous. He says he skis because he likes “to go along and... to really look at trees... and see what [he is] passing.” Ultimately, Leper says he just likes to “enjoy [himself]” (Knowles 95). Leper is clearly childish and enjoys the simplicity of life. He exhibits youthful emotions, like the fear of danger or injury from skiing. Because of the lack of important choices Leper is being presented with, he peacefully does what and does it at his own pace, showing that he is in paradise. These characteristics are further proven when Leper’s peers describe him as “the person who is most often and most empathetically taken by surprise by... [every] shift in our life at Devon” (Knowles 93). Leper’s vulnerability and youth are shown through his struggle with adjusting when there is change. He is the one who is impacted the most when the war begins to present itself. All of these characteristics of Leper illustrate that he is still innocent. The security of Leper’s innocence and paradise …show more content…
At the beginning of the novel, Leper is a young boy with a naive, vulnerable, and innocent mind. He likes to enjoy the simplicities of life, not facing many abstruse choices to make. As the novel progressed, Leper witnesses of age things start to creep into his life, like war. He is presented with complex, burdensome choices, and chooses to enlist in the war. Consequent to these choices, Leper experiences trauma and abuse like no adolescent should. The horrific images that sees and the psychological damages he endures are forever with him, leaving Leper a completely changed man. Ultimately, the wreckage of his innocent paradise is a result of his decision to make a metamorphic choice. Every day, one is presented with many choices, minor or major. The lack of these choices is what results in a paradise. Although ignorance is bliss, and many strive to preserve innocent paradise, choices are a vital part of one's journey through life and coming of age. One paradise may be lost, but another can be
As the labor shortages began to be felt at Devon, students would help by shoveling out railroads. Leper initially does not participate; instead, he skies. Before going to ski, Leper has a conversation with his classmate, Gene. Gene argues that skiing should be blood pumping and fast, but Leper contradicts, saying skiing is not supposed to be fast because that would be dangerous. He says he skis because he likes “to go along and... to really look at trees... and see what [he is] passing.” Ultimately, Leper says he just likes to “enjoy [himself]” (Knowles 95). Leper is clearly childish and enjoys the simplicity of life. He exhibits youthful emotions, like the fear of danger or injury from skiing. Because of the lack of important choices Leper is being presented with, he peacefully does what and does it at his own pace, showing that he is in paradise. These characteristics are further proven when Leper’s peers describe him as “the person who is most often and most empathetically taken by surprise by... [every] shift in our life at Devon” (Knowles 93). Leper’s vulnerability and youth are shown through his struggle with adjusting when there is change. He is the one who is impacted the most when the war begins to present itself. All of these characteristics of Leper illustrate that he is still innocent. The security of Leper’s innocence and paradise …show more content…
At the beginning of the novel, Leper is a young boy with a naive, vulnerable, and innocent mind. He likes to enjoy the simplicities of life, not facing many abstruse choices to make. As the novel progressed, Leper witnesses of age things start to creep into his life, like war. He is presented with complex, burdensome choices, and chooses to enlist in the war. Consequent to these choices, Leper experiences trauma and abuse like no adolescent should. The horrific images that sees and the psychological damages he endures are forever with him, leaving Leper a completely changed man. Ultimately, the wreckage of his innocent paradise is a result of his decision to make a metamorphic choice. Every day, one is presented with many choices, minor or major. The lack of these choices is what results in a paradise. Although ignorance is bliss, and many strive to preserve innocent paradise, choices are a vital part of one's journey through life and coming of age. One paradise may be lost, but another can be