A Separate Peace Literary Analysis

Everyday there is somebody fighting a war, be it with themselves or with outside forces. Wars can be started over even the smallest things such a jealousy or huge things like the pursuit of freedom. In a Separate Peace by John Knowles, we are shown a theme of war and rivalry. The theme is shown throughout the story in many ways, such as; Lepers was with himself over his insecurities and fears, Finny and Genes constant competition, Genes internal war with his actions, and Brinker Hadley’s internal war that creates the hostility that he pushes onto everyone else.

In the early chapters of the book Knowles writes about Finny as a seemingly perfect boy who can do no wrong. “Phineas could get away with anything”(p.18). Finny's seeming perfection