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A Separate Peace Internal Conflict

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A Separate Peace Internal Conflict
Throughout the novel A Separate Peace, John Knowles depicts a character-versus-self conflict through Gene Forrester’s, the protagonist, progressively worsening insecurities and a major epiphany. During his time at the Devon Boarding School, Gene shares a dormitory with his best friend Phineas, Finny. However, Gene’s jealousy of Finny’s natural athletic ability and leadership qualities causes him to create an internal conflict due to his low self esteem. His covetousness of Finny flourishes to the point that he must rationalize why he begrudges Finny to the extent he does; he reasons that the rivalry he concocts is mutual. Gene continues with this mindset that Finny is equally envious of his own intelligence until the evening when Leper states
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