Analysis Of The Novel 'A Separate Peace' By John Knowles
In the novel, A Separate Peace, John Knowles writes about the internal struggles of a young friendship during World War II. Knowles adopts a serious tone in order to develop to the idea that war is inevitable. The author uses devices including characterization and symbolism to develop the theme. Knowles illustrates that war is inescapable through the use of characterization. For example, on page 104, “I pulled that off revealing an army fatigue shirt my brother had given me. ‘Very topical’ said Phineas through his teeth.” This reveals Phineas as a jealous and protective character because of his reaction of the possibility that his friend may leave him for war. This also makes Finny more of a realist than of when he first believed that the
battles are a hoax. However, because Finny still respects Gene, he compliments him even when bitter. Knowing that he could not handle tasks others can accomplish easily, it must have hurt him mentally. Therefore, this use of characterization made Phineas jealous for he could not be with Gene, protective because of the greater chance of a blow from war, and a realist for now acknowledging that there is indeed a battle at their feet. Knowles develops into the theme through the use of symbolism. For example, on page 14, “The tree was not only stripped by the cold season, it seemed weary from age, enfeebled, dry. I was thankful, very thankful that I had seen it. So the more things remain the same, the more they change after all—plus c’est la même chose, plus ça change [more is the same, the more things change]. Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even death by violence.” Gene’s perspective of the tree has changed immensely than of when he was a student. The Devon school in general emphasizes the aftermath of war—the death, the love, and the friendships. This use of symbolism is what kept Finny and Gene’s relationship in a close bond and in pieces. In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the author develops that war is inevitable through the use of characterization and symbolism. The author used characterization to give Phineas a more realistic personality than before. Knowles also uses symbolism to emphasize that the tree, after several years, is a component of the war.
battles are a hoax. However, because Finny still respects Gene, he compliments him even when bitter. Knowing that he could not handle tasks others can accomplish easily, it must have hurt him mentally. Therefore, this use of characterization made Phineas jealous for he could not be with Gene, protective because of the greater chance of a blow from war, and a realist for now acknowledging that there is indeed a battle at their feet. Knowles develops into the theme through the use of symbolism. For example, on page 14, “The tree was not only stripped by the cold season, it seemed weary from age, enfeebled, dry. I was thankful, very thankful that I had seen it. So the more things remain the same, the more they change after all—plus c’est la même chose, plus ça change [more is the same, the more things change]. Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even death by violence.” Gene’s perspective of the tree has changed immensely than of when he was a student. The Devon school in general emphasizes the aftermath of war—the death, the love, and the friendships. This use of symbolism is what kept Finny and Gene’s relationship in a close bond and in pieces. In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the author develops that war is inevitable through the use of characterization and symbolism. The author used characterization to give Phineas a more realistic personality than before. Knowles also uses symbolism to emphasize that the tree, after several years, is a component of the war.