Peace

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…

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 affected…

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…

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…

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…

“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…

I dislike Phineas, because he is a bad influence to Gene and leads him to make poor decisions that he wouldn't have made on his own. In the first chapter, Finny convinces Gene to jump off the tree. While Gene is on the branch, Finny yells "You can't stand around admiring the view. Jump!"(17) and Gene does, and makes his first dangerous decision, against his better judgement. In chapter 2, Gene jumps off the tree again, still under pressure by Finny. Although he makes it out unscathed, he almost…

Gene’s story in Separate Peace displays a young man’s painful yet necessary growth into adulthood. His effort towards growth brought forward a clearer perspective upon responsibility and his firm place in the world. His first step to manhood is put to the test in the beginning of the novel, where the foolish Gene stands unconcerned and self-absorbed in front of the tree that will assess his true nature. After all Gene’s hardships, have been surpassed, in the end he has been formed into a human…

A Separate Peace, Prompt seven A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a story told from the viewpoint of an older Gene Forrester as he reminisces on the past as he visits his old schoolhouse in Devon. Starting in the summer of 1942, he reflects on how fearful he was during the days of WW2 and how Devon is a close reminder of those days. He walks on the street through the schoolhouse, gymnasium, dormitories, and tennis courts, finally arriving at the river where he and his best friend Phineas, also…