A Separate Peace Essay

ASeparatePeaceEssayBetrayal,oneofthemosthorriblethingsyoucoulddotoanyoneyour family,afriendanyone.Tomeit'soneofmyalltimemosthatedthingsapersoncoulddoandit's almostunforgivableInthisbookASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowlestwoboysPhineasandGene whoarebestfriendsataboardingschoolinNewHampshireexperiencesomeoftheworstkindsof Betrayalyoucouldthinkof.Genecommitsaverybadbetrayalwhenhejouststhetreelimbtheyare bothstandingonendingupwithFinnyfallingandbadlybreakinghisleg.Thiswasnoaccident becauseGenecan'tstandtheguilt.AftertheaccidentGeneisallowedtogoseeFinnyinthehospital andgetsinterruptedwhenhe'saboutshowmorecontent

Thisstoryisagoodexampleoftakingthingsforgrantedandnotrealizingthatabestfriendisagift andshouldn'tbetakenforadvantage.Youneverreallyknowwhatyougotuntilit'sgoneandwhen it'sgoneit'sgoneforeverandGenehadtolearnthatthehardwayThroughoutthisstorythesetwo areonarollercoasterfulloftwistandturnsandfightingandbetrayal.Youcanlearnalotfrom thesesituationsandhowtoavoidthembecauseifyou'relikemeyoucan'tstandpeoplewhobetray andevenworsetheirbestfriend.Pushingsomeoneoutofatreeisn'tgoingtochangewhotheyare ontheinside.Todothatyouneedtotalkwiththemandifyouarefriendslikeyousayyouarethen theyshouldlistentowhatyouhavetosayIknowifmyfriendwasdoingsomethingthatwas makingmewanttokillthemorevenhurtthemidsitthemdownlookthemintheeyeandtellthem howIfeel.Betrayalisabadthingandespeciallywithfriendsyouhavetohavetrustthat'sthemain componentforhavingagoodfriendshipwithsomeone.Youcantakealotoutofthisbookithas helpedmeseethateventhoughsomeoneevenyourbestfriendcandriveyoucrazyandsometimes toapointwhereyouwanttokillthemyoujusthavetostaycalmandrelaxtalkitoutanditwillbe

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Everyonematuressomehow,evenifitisonlyasmallchange.However,peoplematuredifferently. Somestillactchildishbythetimethey'reinhighschool,andsomealreadyactlikeadultsbythen. ThedirectorJohnHughesandtheauthorJohnKnowlesrealizedthis,andadaptedthisideaintotheir work,bothhavingacharacterthatrepresentsthecarefreedaysofadulthoodandanotherthat representstheseriousnessofadulthoodThemovieFerrisBueller'sDayOffandthenovelA SeparatePeacebothhavecharactersthatarebestfriendsthatcanbeconsideredallegoriesfor childhoodandadulthood.Althougheachofthestorieshaveafigurethatrepresentschildhood,the charactersarecharacterizeddifferentlyKnowlestreatsthechildhoodfigureinhisstory,Phineas, poorly.Phineasdiesattheendofthebook,representinghoweveryonemustgrowupandletthe childgo.Also,afterPhineasinjureshisleg,hehaseverythingtakenawayfromhim.However, Hughesdoestheopposite.Hemakestheshowmorecontent

KnowlesilluminatesGene,theadulthoodfigureinthenovel.InadditiontoGenebeingthemain character;helives,unlikePhineasAlso,judgingofftheglimpsesofhislifelateronweseeinthe verybeginningandtheveryend,heseemstohaveanicelife.ThisisastarkcontrasttohowHughes treatstheadulthoodcharacter,Cameron.Cameron,unlikeFerris,getsintroubleforusinghisdads Ferrarianddestroyingitandthewindow.Also,FerrisdescribesCameronandhisfuturenegatively, Hestates"He'salwaysbeenalittlekeyed–up."(Hughes102)andthathiswifeisgoingto"treathim likeshitbecausehe'sgonnakissherassforgivinghimwhathe'sbuilt–upinhismindastheend–all, be–allofhumanexistence."(Hughes102)KnowlesandHughesclearlycharacterizetheadulthood characteroftheirstories

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Warisdefinedasastateofarmedconflictwithinanationorstateorbetweennationsorstates.How canwarbereducedtoamereconflictwithoutexplainingthevividnightterrorsfromthesoldiers thatmustnowlivealifeofpsychologicaltormentortheaccumulatingpressureplacedonyoung adolescentstopartakeinthebloodyeventofthemurderofhumanlives;furthermore,whatdoesthe definitionofwarimplyaboutthesocietalviewsontheglorificationofwar?ASeparatePeace prominentlyexploreshowwarmajorlyaffectsnotonlythesoldiersthatareinthecenterofthewar, buttheciviliansthatliveunderthenation.Thepsychologicaltollthattheyoungergenerationfaces isevidentlyshownthroughthecausesandeffectsoftheyoungmenataboys'boardingschool whosedecisionsareinfluencedbythewar,suchasLeperwhoseactionstriggersanarrayof characterdevelopmentacrossseveralcharactersandrevealsthephilosophicalsignificanceofwar.

Leper'sroleinASeparateshowmorecontent

TheconfirmationofLeper'senlistmentandthetraumaticrepercussionsofwarthathereceives evincestotheadolescentsatDevonhowtangiblethewaris"Itwasoneofthefewironicremarks Phineasevermade,andwithithequietlybroughttoacloseallhisspecialinventionswhichhad carriedusthroughthewar,"thenarratorelucidates(Knowles158).ThepurposeofLeper'scharacter isstronglyindicatedwhentheperceptionsofPhineasandBrinkerbegintoechoeachother.When Leperacquiresthepositionbeforehim,Brinker,whoindulgesinthedignityofclaimingthefirst enlistment,unravelshistrueidentityandbeginstoopenlyexpresshisindifferencetowardswarThe studentsatDevonidentifyBrinkerasperspicaciousand

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BrittanySchafer

September21,2012Period4

ASeparatePeaceFinalDraft

InthenovelASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowles,itrelatestoacomplicatedfriendshipoftwoyoung boysGeneandPhineas.GeneisjealousofPhineas'achievementsandletshisangerdestroytheir relationship.TheboysatDevoninthesummerof1942havetodealwiththefearWorldWarII bringsEachtimetheboysfeelsafeandpeaceful,realitysetsinandremindsthemofthewarfare aroundthem.Theboy'smentalstabilityistestedbythestrugglesofschoolandthecausesoftheir actions.JohnKnowles'ASeparatePeacedisplayshowfear,warfare,andfriendshipcanaffecta person'sinnocenceandyouth.FearhasaffectedGeneandmadehimparanoidwithshowmore content...

GeneasksFinnywhathethinkcausedhimtofalloutofthetreetofindoutifFinnyknowsitwas Gene.WhenGenevisitsFinnyandtellshimhewasatfault,heregretstellinghim,"Itstruckme thenthatIwasinjuringhimagain.Itoccurredtomethatthiscouldbeanevendeeperinjurythan whatIhaddonebefore.Iwouldhavetobackoutofit,Iwouldhavetodisownit."(62)Genecannot handlethestressoftellingFinnythetruththatheisafraidhemightblackout.Throughoutthenovel, thewarhascausedgreatworry,wonder,andfearforthesixteen–year–oldboysatDevonwhocould enlistanytime.WhentheBoysopenaWinterCarnival,ithelpsthembelievethatthewardoesnot existandgetstheirmindoffthewar.GeneiscaughtupyetagaininFinny'supbeatworldbyhelping runthiscarnivalTheboys'happinessisinterruptedattheendofthecarnivalwhenatelegramis sentbyLeperinformingtheboyshehasescaped.Theboysnotonlydealwithmilitarywarfare,but personalwarsandfeelingsofhostilityandresentment.Genelearnsthatonemansonlyenemywas himself,"...thisenemytheythoughttheysawacrossthefrontier,thisenemywhoneverattackedthat way–ifheneverattackedatall;ifhewasindeedtheenemy."(196)Genestruggles

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EnvyandImitation"Thereisatimeineveryman'seducationwhenhearrivesattheconclusionthat envyisignorance;thatimitationissuicide"(Emerson370).JohnKnowles'ASeparatePeace, perfectlyshowstheresultsofenvyandimitationataboys'preparatoryschool,Devon,in1943.The novel'snarratorandprotagonist,GeneForester,tellshisstoryasaflashbackofhisdaysatthe DevonSchoolHeisfirstknownforhisacademicskillsandfollowingoftherules,butlaterallows hisinsecuritiesandjealouslydrivehimtomaketransgressionsthatwillfollowhimfortherestofhis life.ASeparatePeaceperfectlyshowstheresultsofhowenvyandimitationaffectGene,his relationshipwithFinny,andGene'sachievementofpeaceshowmorecontent

AsGenedepartsfromFinny,hedoesfindhisownpeace.Finny'slifeanddeathtaughthimawayof living.Genedeclares,"DuringthetimeIwaswithhim,PhineascreatedanatmosphereinwhichI continuedhowtolive,awayofsizinguptheworldwitherraticandentirelypersonalreservations, lettingitsrocklikefactssiftthroughandbeacceptedonlyalittleatatime,onlyasmuchashecould assimilatewithoutasenseofchaosandloss"(Knowles202)Genestrugglesthroughoutthenovel, butbecomesstrongerandmoreself–aware.Helearnshowtodealwithlifewhenitbecomes overwhelming.Gene'sachievementofpeaceisalsoseenwhenheacknowledgeshimselfthatthe realenemyiswithinhimself.Altonemphasizes,"We'reallliabletocorruptionfromwithinbyour ownenvy,anger,andfear."Asbestfriends,GeneandFinnywerebothlikelytodevelopenvyor angerInthisworldandhowhumanfriendshipswork,itisnormaltohavethesefeelingsHowever, Genehasabadcaseofit,anditaffectshimgreatly.Geneconcludes,"IneverkilledanybodyandI neverdevelopedanintenselevelofhatredfortheenemy.BecausemywarendedbeforeIeverput onauniform;Iwasonactivedutyallmytimeatschool;Ikilledmyenemythere"(Knowles204) Overall,Genefoughthisownprivatewarofgrowingup.Asonecansee,thisnovelrevealsthe resultsofhowenvyandimitationaffectGene,hisrelationshipwithFinny,

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IguessthatyoucouldsayIamfortunatetobeabletoattendDevon.Theteachersmakesurethat youworkhardandtheykeepyouonyourtoes.Duringatimeofwar,Devonhasdoneagoodjobof preparingstudentsforthefighting.Ontheotherhand,Devonhasbothupsanddowns.Rightnow, weareintheSummerSession,andtheteachersandsupervisorsherehaverelaxedtheirpolicies.I guessthisisalsoagoodthingasitgivesusatimewherewecanrelaxforabitbeforetheWinter Sessionbegins.Myroommateandbestfriend,Phineas,hasdonethebesttohavefunthissummer andforgetaboutallofourschoolwork.IamveryfortunatetohavePhineasasaroommate. Althoughwehavenotknowneachotherforthatlong,FinnyandIhaveshowmorecontent TheyearsIhavebeenatthisschoolhavegoneveryquickly.Theyhavebeenfilledwithbothfun anddrama.IcannotsaythatIamcompletelysadorhappytobeleavingtheDevonSchool.Ihave hadmyshareofgoodtimeswithfellowclassmates,suchasFinnyofcourse.However,therehave definitelybeensomethingsthathavehappenedherethatIamgladtobeleavingbehindme.Ihope toforgetthewholesituationwithFinnyfallingoffthetreeandhowitwasultimatelymyfault ExperiencingFinny'sdeathwasanoddexperience.ThroughoutmytimeatDevon,Phineashad becomeamajorpartofme;apartofmediedthedaythathepassedaway.Hisfuneralwasanodd sensation.Itwasunnaturalinthewaythatpartofmewasgonethatday,too.Finnyhelpedtolighten everybody'sspiritsatDevonandtookourmindsoffofthewarthatwasathand.Hewascare–free andhadnoenemies,butveryfewwereabletofollowhisexampleUnlikePhineas,Icreatedfoolish rivalriesatDevonwhichhadawful

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Thenovel"ASeparatePeace"canbeinterpretedinmanywaysasithighlightsseveralinteresting topics.I'llbediscussingmyownpersonalinterpretationofthebook.ThethemesI'llbecoveringare manycommonones,coming–of–age,goodandevil,andenvyandhate.Oneofthethingsitcanbe seenasisacoming–of–agenovel.IfyoujustlookattheirageandthewayFinnyandGenepresent themselvestheyseemtobemostlymatureHowever,asseeninthebook,Genefeaturesalmost child–liketantrums.Onpage55Genesays"Iwantedtobreakoutcryingfromstabsofhopelessjob, orintolerablepromise–".Incontrast,Finnyismoreemotionallystable.Healwaystriestoseethe biggerpictureandconsidereveryoneelsepointofviewGeneshowmorecontent AtthestartGeneonlyenvysFinny.Inpage25hesaying"Icouldn'thelpenvyinghimthat,which wasperfectlynormal.".AndGeneiscorrect,itisperfectlynormaltoenvypeople,evenyourbest friend.Butevensomethingasinnocentasenvycanturnintosomethingmoresinister,hate.There aresingofGenehatingFinny,asseeninpage53"Youdidhatehimforthatswimmingrecord,but sowhat?"AnothersignofGenehatingFinnyiswhenhebecomesparanoidandangrywhenhe believesFinnywastryingtosabotagehisgrades.Butnoneofthatcomparestowhenhepurposely jouncesthelimbcausingFinnytofalloff.However,thistheoryisnotsetinstone.Lateroninthe storyGenebeginstofeelguiltyforwhathedidandsincerelyapologizes.Butthisisonlymyview onit.

Thenovel"ASeparatePeace"canbeinterpreteddifferentlybyeachpersonyouaskYoucould evenasktheauthorofthisnovelandhisviewcouldbecompletelydifferentfromyourown.The novelhighlightedseveralimportanttopics,coming–of–age,goodandevil,andenvyandhate.Italso shedlightonthepositiveandnegativesoffriendships,especiallycompetitiveonesIthoroughly enjoyedthisbookandhopemorespeculationonwhatthebookmeanscontinuetopopupinthenear

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WhenthepresentgenerationisaskedaboutWorldWarII,mindsautomaticallygotoHitler,the Nazisandpossiblyoneofthemanysemi–terriblemovies"based"ontrueevents.Thisgenerationis completelyunattachedtothenaivesoldierswhofoughtagainstthenownotoriousHitlerandNazis. Thehorrortheyouthofthetimefacediscompletelyunimaginable,exceptwhentoldthrougha realisticstoryhighlightingtheemotionaltraumatheyoungboysenduredASeparatePeacebyJohn Knowleshighlightsthemultiplemeaningsofaseparatepeace,symbolizedbythesetting,characters, andplotelementswithinthestoryshowingthetruetraumaofgrowingupinawar–torncountry.

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ASeparatePeaceCharacterAnalysis

ForthecharactersinASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowles,acoming–of–agefictionalnovel,thestress ofenlistinginWorldWarIIgreatlyimpactstheirmotives.Thisstoryistoldasaflashbackfromthe perspectiveofayoungboynamedGenethatattendsaboardingschool,Devon.Thisschoolsits astridetworivers,theDevon,andtheNaguamsett.TheDevon,ariverthatiscleanandbringsfun andyouthfulmemoriestoGeneflowsintotheNaguamsett,adirtyanduglyriverThesebodiesof watercanrepresenttheshiftfromchildhoodtoadulthood.Howthehappyandinnocentmindofa youngadultbeginstoexperiencenewthingsandstartstorecognizethenegativeaspectsofreality Geneandhisbestfriendsstruggletorecognizethenegativeeffectsofthewar,astheyhavenotyet experienceditforthemselves.Theirstruggletogrowandmatureismetwithmultipleconflicts.The mostextremeoftheseconflictsoccursattheendofthestory,whenGene'sbestfriend,Phineas,also knownasFinny,diesinthemiddleofasurgery.InASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowles,Brinkeris mostresponsibleforPhineas'deathbecauseofhisdesireforjustice,hisdependenceonothers,and hislackofpityforFinny

Initially,fromtheintroductionofhischaracterintothenovel,Brinkerisportrayedwithastrong determinationtoachievejustice.AfteraccusingGeneofinflictingharmonhisroommateforhis ownroom,BrinkeragreestofollowhimintotheButtRoomtosmoke.However,

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Istaredattheclockwaitinganxiouslyforourcollegian,Giancarlo,toopenthedoorandtellusthat itwastimetogo.Sowasmywholesquad,Sebastianwastwitchingwhilewaitingforthebellto ring,NickstaredatMr.Gibaldiecstatically,hiseyeswideopenjottingdownnotesasifwriting everywordMr.Gibaldihadstated.Nickwasalwaysexuberant,evenattheworsttimes,likejug,the timeheismostenthusiastic,isinclassJavierwasstaringoutsidehiswindowlookingatthegirls, daydreamingasifhewashypnotized.Victor,likeme,wasstaringattheclock.Artemwasnapping onhisdeskwishinghedidnothaveclass,Maximhadagrinonhisfaceandwasstaringatme, JonibekwasalsotakingdownnotesMrGibaldi,otherwiseknownbymeas,Godzilla,calledon me,Istoppedlookingattheceilingandstaredinhiseyes,theblackeyesofthedevil,hewaslikea darkgodstaringintomysoultellingmethatifIanswerthisquestionincorrectly,hewillkillme withhisblade.Heaskedme,"Tommy,whatdoyouinterpretisthemain,ongoingthemeinA SeparatePeace?"Iquakedindismay,knowingthatifIgotthatquestionincorrecthewouldknow thatIwasdaydreamingduringhisentireclass,IknewIwasscrewed,everyonestaredatme

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ASeparatePeaceThemeEssay

StrugglesatDevon

ASeparatePeacetookplaceatanallboysmilitaryschoolduringWWII.Everyyoungmanwhowas eighteenorolderwaseligibletobedraftedintothemilitaryandfightfortheircountry.Theboysin thenovelwereenrolledinamilitaryschooltopreparethemiftheygotdrafted.Thatway,theboys wouldknowhowtoprotectothersandthemselves,givingAmericaabetterchancetowinthewar InASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowles,WWIIisusedtorepresentlossofinnocenceandinternal wars.

LossofinnocenceisamajorthemeinthenovelduetoWWIITheseboyshadtogiveuptheir innocenceandchildhoodtogotoamilitarytoschoolteachingthemhowtofightandprotect themselvesinbattle.Asyoungboys,theyweregivengunsandotherweaponstolearnhowtousein casetheywereeverdraftedintoshowmorecontent

Gene'sinternalenemywasFinnybecausehewasalwaysjealousthatFinnywasbetterthanhimat sportswithouttryingtoGenewantedtogetevenwithFinny,sohetoldhimselfthatheneededtobe thebestinhisclassacademically,sohespentallofhistimestudying.GenefeltthatwhenFinny askedhimtodosomethingfun,Finnywastryingtodistracthimfromstudyingwheninrealityhe wasjusttryingtohavefunindespiteofthewar.Finnyhadtodealwithinternalstrugglealso.He couldnotunderstandhowhisbestfriendwouldhavepurposelyjoltedthetreebranch,makinghim falloffcausinginjurythatruinedhissportscareerFinnydidnotwanttobelieveGenediditbecause hethoughtthatGenewasabetterfriendthanthatandwouldneverdoanythingtohurthim.Once FinnyfiguredoutitactuallywasGene,hestormedoutofthemeeting,fallingdownthestairsand re–brokehislegGene'sbetrayalresultedinFinnynotspeakingtoGeneforsometimeThroughout thebook,therewereseveralinternalwarswithindifferent

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ASeparatePeace:byJohnKnowles

DuringWorldWarIIinthestruggleforpeaceamongnationscomesasmaller,butstillsignificant struggle,inaprepschoolboybecomingamanandwakinguptoreality.

InthebookASeparatePeace,theauthorJohnKnowles,createstheimageoftwosixteen–yearold boysstrugglingtokeepwhatlittlesenseofpeacetheyknow,eventhoughthereisawargoingonall aroundthemGeneForrester,thenarratorofthestoryalsostruggleswithaninnerconflictofhis secretresentmentofhisbestfriendPhineas(Finny).Phineasstruggleswiththedisbeliefthathecan neverbeofanyusetothewareffortswitha"bustedleg."

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FinnydoesnotbelieveawordofthisdisturbingrevelationandsendsGeneaway.WhenFinnydoes returntoDevon,heneverbringsupGene'soff–the–wallconfession.Monthspassandsuddenlythe accidentisbroughtupagainbyaboynamedBrinkerwhobelievesthatthereismoretothestory thanwhatisbeingsaid.(NooneelseintheschoolnewforafactthatGeneshookthebranchon purposetomakeFinnyfall,theyjusthademptyaccusations.)SoBrinkersetupasort–ofmockcourt onenightandtookGeneandFinnythere.FinnywasseatedinthemiddleoftheAssemblyHalland askedtotellwhathappened.SinceGene'sconfession,Finnyrefusestobelieveitistrueand imaginesthatGenewasn'teveninthetreewithhim,therefore,hewouldnotbeabletoplaceGene astheguiltyone.Asthestoryunravelsofwhatreallyhappens,Finnygetsfedupandleavesthe buildingsaying,"Ijustdon'tcare.Nevermind."Andthenalltheboyshearhimfalldownaflightof stairs,re–breakinghislegThistimethough,Finnyisn'tsoluckyandwhilethedoctorissettingthe break,someofthebonemarrowgetsintohisbloodstreamandimmediatelystopshisheart.When Genehearsofthishedoesnotcry,nordoesheevercryoverFinny'sdeath,becausewhenFinny dieditwaslikehediedwithFinny.Attheendoftheschoolyear,Geneenlistsinthewarandjoined the

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ASeparatePeaceEssay

Inthenovel,ASeparatePeacebyJohnKnowles,theprotagonist,GeneForrester"battled"within himselftofind"aseparatepeace"andinthisprocessdirectedhisemotionsatPhineas,his roommate.ForresterandPhineasformedtheillusionofagreatcompanionship,buttherewasa "silentrivalry"betweentheminForrester'smindSelfdeceptionsinForresterledhimtobelievethat Phineaswas"outtogethim"(Forrester).SubconsciouslyForresterjouncedthelimbofthetreeand forcedPhineastofallandbreakhisleg.Phineasfoundoutthetruthofhis"accident"withthehelpof LeperLepellierandBrinkerHadley,whowerefriendsthatattendedDevonHighSchoolGene Forrester'sconflictbetweenhis...showmorecontent...

ButwhilehewasaverypoorstudentIwasaprettygoodathlete,andwheneverythingwasthrown intothescalestheywouldintheendtiltdefinitelytowardme(Forrester,)"(47).The"rivalry"inside ForresterledhimtobelievethatPhineashadthesefeelingsofresentmenttowardhim(Forrester,) andwasalsocompetingtobethe"best"

SelfdeceptionsinsideofGeneForresterledhimtobelievethatPhineaswas"outtogethim".

Forresterrealizedthat,"Finnyhaddeliberatelysetouttowreckmystudies"(45),whenPhineassaid, "I'dkillmyselfoutofjealousenvy"(44)(ifForresterwasvaledictorian).HavingbelievedPhineas, ForrestercametoanotherrealizationthatPhineashadcreatedblitzballandtheSuperSuicide Societytodistracthim(Forrester)frombeing"thebest"PhineasdidnotknowthatForresterneeded tostudyinordertogetgoodgrades;"Ididn'tknowyouneededtostudy,"(50)hesaidwhen ForresterwantedtostayandstudyratherthangototheSuperSuicideSocietymeeting.Phineas thoughtthatacademicscamenaturallytoForresterasathleticscametohim(Phineas)Forrestertook Phineastryingtobeafriendashimtryingtodistractforhis(Forrester's)academics.

TheSuperSuicideSocietymeetingwasheldforLeperLepelliertojumpfromthe"forbidden"tree. ToopenthemeetingPhineasandForrestertriedadoublejump."Holdingfirmlytothetrunk,I (Forrester)tookastep

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ASeparatePeace

Dealingwithenemieshasbeenaproblemsincethebeginningoftime."Ineverkilledanybody," Genehadcommentedlaterinhislife,"AndIneverdevelopedanintenselevelofhatredforthe enemyBecausemywarendedbeforeIeverputonauniform,Iwasonactivedutyallmytimeat Devon;Ikilledmyenemythere."InASeparatePeace,byJohnKnowles,thevalueofdealingwith enemiesisshownbyGene,whowasdealingwithfewhumanenemies,buthisemotionscreatedfar greaterrivalsthananyhumancouldeverposses

OneoftheenemiesthatGenecreatedforhimselfwasjealousy.Genewasjealousofeverything aboutFinny.TheopennesswhichFinnypossessedwasoneofthesethingswhichGeneenvied.One incidentof...showmorecontent...

Therealwar,however,startedwhenhegottheideathatbecauseFinnyhadlowgrades,hewantedto lowerGene'sgradesaswell,sohecouldremain"betterthan"Gene.GenebelievedthatFinnywas tryingtowreckhisstudieswithgamesandgoingtothebeach,andtheirSecretSuicideSociety. AnothertimeGene'sangershowsiswhenFinnywantedGenetocomejumpoffthetreeintothe riverwithhim,astheyhadbeendoing,andheclaimedthatLeperwouldbejumpingtoo.Geneburst outangrilyattheideabecausehewasstudying,andhethoughtFinnywastryingtowreckhis grades,sohesaidno.Finnyrespondedwithnooffensetaken.Genenotbeingabletosay"no"to Finnychangedhismindandwenttothetreeanyway.Genewasnowenragedontheinsidebecause herealizedthatFinnywasnottryingtowreckhisstudies,andreallywas"perfect"Stillfeeling angrybyFinny's"perfection,"Genejouncedthelimbwhentheywereabouttojump,causingFinny tofallandbreakhisleg.ThisshowsthatGene'sanger,mixedwiththisjealousy,drovehimtocause physicalpaintosomeonewhowasdeartohim.

AnotherenemyofGene'sisFinny'smodestyEarlyinthestory,Finnydemonstratedhismodestyby whenaskedforhisheighthereplied"Fivefeeteightandahalfinches."Generepliedthathehimself was"fivefeetnineinches."FinnypointedoutthattheywerethesameheightandthatGene shouldn'tbeashamedto

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Inthenovel"ASeparatePeace",byJohnKnowles,Genetheprotagonisttransformsfromaclueless individualtoonewhounderstandseventsashegainsknowledgeandexperience.Thestorytakes placeinthe1944summersessionatDevonSchoolinNewHampshireduringWorldWarII.The twocharacters,smartandcarefulGeneandhisathleticandcarefreeFinny,haveastrongfriendship inwhichGenetrickshimselfintothinkingasadeeprivalryGene'sopposingfeelingagainstFinny thoughtlesslycauseshimtofallfromthetreeandshatterhislegs.Thetworegainstheirclose friendshipasthestorygoeson;however,Finnydiesashebreakhislegsthesecondtime,andthe marrowfromthebreakgetsintohisbloodThroughoutthestory,Geneshowmorecontent WhileGeneisfirstmovingfromthesouthtogotoDevon,hethinksthathemighthavetoactlike someoneelsetofitin.HoweverspendingtimewithhisdaredevilroommateFinny,hesoonrealizes thathecouldjustbehimself.Inthestory,GenetriestocounterbalanceagainstFinny,whoishis closestfriendandatthesametimetheschool'sathletestar.Friendshipisacombinationof admiration,respect,jealousy,andcansometimesblurone'sidentityGeneletshisevilsideofhim takeoverbothphysicallyandmentallycausinghimtotrickhimselfthatFinnyisaconnivingfoil thatwantstosabotagehisacademicmerits.AsthenumberofFinny'sinvitationtoactivities increase,GenestartstothinkthatFinnyisintentionallytryingtomakeGenefailoutofschool.Gene startstodislikehowFinnyofteninterruptsandinviteshimtothetreejumping."Holdingfirmlyto thetrunkItookasteptowardshimandmykneesbentandIjouncedthelimb,"(Knowles,60)In Chapter4,withangerandjealousybuiltupwithinGene,heloseshisbattleagainsthisinner–self andthoughtlesslycausesFinnytofalloffthetreeandshatterhislegs.Genewasunabletoconfessto FinnyandadmittohimselfthathehadcausedtheaccidentHowever,Geneovercomesthe obstacles,andheexpressesregretandconfessestoFinnythathewastheonethatshookthebranch ofthetreethatcausedFinnyto

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ASeparatePeaceHonorsEnglishEssayByDevinE.PriceFromjuvenilitytomaturity,ASeparate PeacecombinesclassicAmericanLiteraturewithathoughtfulplot–linethatisdevelopedtoaffect thereaders'mindandheart.Theauthor,JohnKnowlesofFairmont,WestVirginia,hadoneclear purposeforwritingthisbook.Thispurposewastoshowthedisastrousmentalandphysical problemswhichariseastheresultofwar,specificallytherepercussionstheyhaveonthehome front.Agoodlessontolearnfromthisbookisthatevenawarthree–thousandmilesawaycanhave justasmuchramificationasawarthreemilesaway.ThisnovelshowsthetransitionofGene Forresterandhisfriendsfromboyhoodtomanhoodduringashowmorecontent Whilepresentingitselfasaninstitutionoftheupmostmoralcharacter,theDevonSchoolisreally thebreedinggroundforbrokenstudents.Asaresultitisthisveryframework,thewarandthe prestigeofadistinguishedacademy,whichcausedthesestudentstobreak.Theyouthatthisschool wereforcedtoputupwithemotionalstruggleafterstruggle,andthatreflectstheharshsettingofthis storyMovingon,therewereamultitudeofdifferentcharactersinthisbookeachwithdifferent socialandphysicaldispositions.Themaincharacter,GeneForrester,startedoutasthebestfriendof Finny.Hesoonhoweverstartedtohaverealizationsthroughaseriesofeventsthatledhimtorealize thathereallyhadadeepresentmenttowardFinny,andwantedonlytobestFinny.Gene,after Finny'saccident,soonlosesallofhisbitternessandbecomesabitmorereserved.Genealsostartsto developahostileattitudewhichleadshimtogetintoseveralfightsFinny,theso–calledbestfriend ofGene,isahappy,athletic,andconfidentboy,whomakesupinthefieldwhathelacksinthe classroom.Hefallsintoasilentdepressionafterhisaccidentwhichonlyshowsthrewhisupbeat coverafewtimesaftertheaccidentHowever,Finnyisdifferentfromeveryone

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"ASeparatePeace"byJohnKnowles

SeparatePeaceWhatreallyhappenedinthetree?GeneandFinnywereverygoodfriends;however, whateverhappenedinthetreethedaytheFinny"fell"out,istheactualcauseofGene "MykneesbentandIjouncedthelimb"page52Infact,Finnydidnotfalloutofthetree,but Genehadactuallypushedhimout.Genehadverygoodreasonstopushhimout"Finnyhadputhim uptoit,tofinishmefrogoodontheexam."Page49.Hepushedhimoutofjealousyfortwothings. Forathleticism,andforhispopularity,andalsoforhisabilitytotalkhiswayoutofanythingFirst, Finnywasaveryathleticperson;however,Geneisjustanormalaveragedayperson.Genecouldn't standshowmorecontent

Finnywasabletotalkpeopleintodoinganything,justbyhowheacted.Moreover,hewasableto inventanewsportbecauseofhisathleticism.

Anotherexampleoffinnybeingbetterandsaying,"Icandoitandyoucan't".Gene knewasafactthathecouldnotinventanewsportandgetenoughattentionforit.Genecouldnot domanythingsthatFinnywasabletodo,suchastalkhiswayoutofanything.Duringsummer school,Finnywasabletotalkhiswayoutofgettingintroubleacoupletimes.WhenheandGene hadskippeddinnertogotothetree,theywerecaughtwhentheywerewalkingbackAllhedidwas talktotheteacherrightthere,andnothingevercameupaboutagain.AnothertimewaswhenFinny wasattheheadmaster'shousefortea,hewaswearingatieasabelt,buttheoddpartwasthatitwas theschooltieAgain,Phineasexplainedtotheheadmaster,thatwearingtheschooltieasabelt, contributedtothewareffort.Allhehadtodowasexplainit,andhenevergotintroubleagain.Gene probablywishedhehadtheabilitytodothat;however,heknewthatonlyFinnycoulddoit,and withsuchease.

WhenGeneandFinnyroadtothebeach,itwasFinny'sideainthefirstplaceTheyspentthenight onthebeachandwhentheygotbackGenefailshistriginometrytest.LaterGeneclaimsthatFinny diditonpurposetolowerhisgradeandmakeFinnylookgood.TheyneverreallytoldwhatFinny's intentionsreally

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"Phineaswasalwaysbeingwatched,liketheweather"(Knowles36–37).JohnKnowlesusesa similetoshowhowmanytimesPhineasisobservedbytheschool.TheauthorcomparesPhineasto theweatherbecausetheweatherisalwaysbeingwatchedtoknowhowtodress,whatactivitiesto do,etc.ThisissignificantbecauseFinnyisalwaysbeingwatchedandquestionedabouthisactions notonlyfromtheteachersbuthisfriendsWithusingasimiletocomparehimtoweatherhelps readersrealizewhatkindofpersonFinnyisandwhyheisgainingalltheattentionfrompeople aroundhim."PeacehaddesertedDevon"(Knowles72).ThisquoteinASeparatePeace foreshadowsthefuturerelationshipbetweenGeneandFinnyGeneisfinallybackatshowmore content...

"Thetreewastremendous,anirate,steelyblacksteeplebesidetheriver"(Knowles14).The metaphorinASeparatePeaceisatree.GeneflashesbacktotheyearsheattendedDevonSchool whichwasfifteenyearsago,describinghowhehasseenthetreeasachild.Hedirectlycomparesit toanirate,steelyblacksteeple,becauseFinnybrokehislegallbecauseofGenewhilestandingon thistree.Therefore.Thiscomparisonbetweenatreeandsteeplegivesatreedangerousand traumaticimpressionduetotheusageofmetaphor."...theforcesreassembledforitscatteredthe easygoingsummerspiritlikesomanyfallenleaves.(Knowles72).ThemoodinASeparatePeaceis atransitionfromecstaticandindulgenttoseriousandgrievous.Thesummerpartofthebookat Devonschoolisatimeoffunandfreedom,andtheboysdonotcareaboutauthorityThefirstpart ofthebookshowstheinconvenienceoftheboys,jumpingfromatalltreeintothewaterand disobeyingtotheteachers.Finny'saccidentisgoingtomaketherealitycomeback:awar.However, Finnydoesn'twanttobelieveinit,andhestillwantstoplay,notgoingintotheadultworldItshows thereaderthecomingofageforthetwoboys."Iwouldn'thavebeen...Iwouldn'thave...Ididn't need..."(Knowles33).ThepointofviewinASeparatePeaceiswritteninthefirstpersonofGene Forrester.GenetellshisownstoryinretrospectwhilevisitingDevonasanadult.Thepoint

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"Envyisignorance;imitationissuicide"–RalphWaldoEmerson.Thisquoteisaprimeexampleof whatgoesoninthenovelASeparatePeace.JohnKnowlesistheauthorofASeparatePeace,the settingofthestorytakesplaceduringWorldWar2.GeneForrester,isoneofthemaincharactersin thestory.Heisveryintelligent.InthenovelASeparatePeace,Genegoesthroughmanyeventthat willshowhowheenviesandimitatesfinny;geneeitherachievesorlackspeaceattheendGene's envyandimitationforfinnyaffectshim.Onewaythatgeneisaffectediswhenhedecidestobea followeranddowhateverfinnydoes.Altonstates,"InitiallyGeneemulatesPhineas:hejoinshimin climbingthetreeandjumpingintotheriver,beinglatefordinner,andtakingaforbiddentriptothe beach"(Alton).Theauthor,listsafewexamplesofhowgeneimitatesfinny.Insteadofstudyingand beingaleader,hewantedtobejustlikehisbestfriend.Anotherwaythatgeneisaffectediswhen theaccidenthappensandgenewearsFinnie'sclothesbecausehefeelssorryandmisseshisbest friend.Altonadds,"LaterhewantstobecomePhineas,aswhenhetrieson...showmorecontent... Geneapologizedtofinnybecauseoftheaccident"I'msorry,Isaidblindly,"I'msorry,I'msorry"I hadjustenoughcontroltostayoutofhisroom,tolethimstrugglebackintobedbyhimself" (Knowles111).Whengenewenttogoapologizetofinny,hewasangry.Genetriestoapologize, andendeduprunningawayfromtheroom.Hedidn'twanttocausemoretrouble.Genefindslackof peacebecauseofFinnie'sdeath"Iamnothing,Iamnotworthyofthismenace"(Knowles122). Sincefinnydied,genefeelslikeheisnotgoodenoughanymoreHegrievesoverFinnie'sdeathHe punisheshimselfforwhathedidtofinny.Inthenovel,geneexperiencesalotthroughhisteenage years,andheendsupgoingbacktowhereitall

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ASEPARATEPEACESUMMARY

ASeparatePeacebeginswhenthenarratorGeneForresterreturnstoNewHampshirewherehewent toDevonschool15yearsagowithhisfriendPhineas.Thestoryshiftsback15yearstowhenGene andPhineaswenttoschoolAtthetimelonely,andPhineaswasthehandsome,tauntingdaredevil athlete.OneduringschoolPhineashadanideatoclimbaverytalltree,andjumpfromthetreeinto ariver.Genewaseventuallyshamedintojumping.Genewassurprisedoftheoutcomeofthejump. GenegraduallybecomesjealousofPhineas'athleticabilitiesGenecomestobelievethatPhineasis jealousofhisacademicachievements.HethinksthatPhineasistryingtokeephimfromstudying, andbecominggreatershowmorecontent

PhineasexpressesadesiretoseeGenesucceed.Genedecidestojumpofthetreeagainwith Phineas,whentheygottothetopofthetree,Genelosesbalancewhichcausedthetreetoshake,and causedPhineastofalloffThatfallendedPhineas'athleticcareer,andGenefeltagreatdealofguilt GenegoestoconfesstoPhineasthathepurposelymadehimfall,butPhineasrefusestobelievethat. Genegoesbacktoschool,andtriestoavoidanyathleticactivity.WorldWarIIwasinfulloperation andalltheboysatDevonschoolareeagertoenlist.Phineasdoesnotplantoenlistintothemilitary becauseofhisinjuries,butheexpectsGenetotakehisplaceastheschoolsathleteoftheyear.Gene, andPhineashadadisagreementGenebelievesthatsportsarenolongerimportantwhilethewar takesplace.Phineasbelievesthatthewarkeepsyoungmenfromexperiencingolderauthorities. Genetrainsforthe1944OlympicsinplaceofPhineas.DuringthistimeGenegetsatelegram messagefromLeperLepellierLeperwasthefirstoneintheirclasstoenlistThemessagesaysthat hehasescaped,andneedsGenetocometohishomeinVermont.GenegoestoVermont,butonlyto seethatLeperhasgonemad.LeperbelievesthatGenewasresponsibleforPhineas'accident,so doesthereclassmate

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