A Separate Peace

What is friendship? Friendship is a simple relationship based on trust and understanding. In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the term “friendship” occurs between the two main characters, Gene Forrester and Finny. The boys’ friendship is heavily driven by competition and this can lead to a negative connotation of their relationship with each other. However, as the story unfolds, their relationship evolves from being so innocent and pure to one being misunderstood and rivalry driven.…

John Knowles exquisitely crafted a book called A Separate Peace takes place during World War 2 at Devon high school in New Hampshire. Devon high school is presented as an almost Utopia filled with trees, animals, and the peaceful lazy rivers. Also where two boys, Gene and Finny with their own personal problems. Gene is typical the teen that goes through self-consciousness, uncertainty, jealousy, and an identity crisis. Finny is described as a super-human, he is charismatic, pure of heart, and…

The setting of the novel A Separate Peace; written by John Knowles; takes place in 1942-1943, in New Hmaster at Devon School during World War 2. Devon is a all boy school, the place the main character has his own war. All the boys in Devon will go to war regardless if they are willing or not. The boys that are willing to go, are unaware of what could happen to their mind. This small group of boys are going to make a little trouble, and make the Super Suicide Society, to have a little fun.…

In 1941 the attack on Pearl Harbor caused the United States to go to war, which forced many American boys prematurely become men. The novel “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles set in an era about two best friends attending an all-boys private school on the east coast and their personal struggles during World War II. The main character Gene is a teenager from the south, who arrived at The School of Devon where he meets his best friend Phineas. Finny is an optimistic, athletic kid who introduces…

September 1, 1939 was the start of a very gruesome and saddening World War II. A Separate Peace by John Knowles is set during World War II, 1942 to be exact, following Gene Forrester as he struggles with identity, friendships, and jealousy while tagging along with his best bud, Phineas, who goes by Finny. During the war, Gene and Finny are studying at Devon School, a dormitory for young boys, during its summer session. Since the war is happening around them at that time, it starts to have an…

to society often depends on a person’s perspective, personality, and motivations. In the novel A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, the main characters are Gene Forester and Phineas. Knowles portrays Finny as the light to Gene’s dark side, the yin to his yang. Knowles creation of characters with opposing personalities helps to further develop the novel. The most prominent character in A Separate Peace is Gene Forrester. In the novel, Gene is grown up and reflecting on his time at Devon. As a…

“Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” (Maya Angelou) The story A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a coming-of-age story that outlines the summer adventures of the jealous, intelligent Gene and his athletic best friend Finny at Devon School in New Hampshire. Regardless of their close relationship, Gene still harbors some resentful feelings towards Finny which get worse when Gene assumes Finny is trying to keep him distracted from his schoolwork, and…

man, must be a nonconformist” (Emerson 370). A Separate Peace is a coming-of-age novel by John Knowles during the World War II at Devin school, 1942. Gene a, 5’8 sixteen year old, returns to his childhood school for peace. Also as the narrator, Gene struggles with internal emotions toward his friend and identifying who he truly is. A Separate Peace demonstrates how Gene envy and imitation affect himself and his relationship with Finny; Gene finds peace. Gene’s envy and imitation of Finny…

A Separate Peace: Betrayal A Separate Peace has many themes represented through the duration of the book. One of John Knowles most expressed themes is betrayal. Knowles does so through various literary devices and techniques. Knowles’ setting is a tremendous contributor to the betrayal between Gene and Phineas (Finny). While Gene Forrester is at Devon there is a numerous amount of foreshadowing being used. The war, the steps, and even the tree are examples of foreshadowing being…

A friendship, defined by a positive emotional connection between two individuals, can only be fulfilled if a mutual commitment by both parties is made. The novel, A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, explores the conflict between two young men in a coming of age story. The main characters, Gene and Phineas, also known as Finny, are best friends at Devon Academy. The novel follows them on their struggle to find out who they are and what motivates them in a time of uncertainty and fear. Gene and…