Characters of a Seperate Peace

Gene and Finny are the two main characters of the book A Separate Peace by John Knowles. They are two very different people but manage to still be friends despite. During the course of the book, it becomes evident Gene’s envy for Finny. However given the nature of Gene and Finny’s personalities it is almost impossible for Gene to not envy Finny. Gene is an excellent academic student, but feels that he needs something more. When looking at his Myers-Briggs personality type he seems to fit into that category of a ISFJ. These types of people are said to care for people and work endlessly on their behalf. They have the need to please others and feel needed. This applies to Gene with his very co-dependent relationship with Finny. He wants to desperately to be what Finny is. “…And a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first: to become a part of Phineas. (77)” I believe that Gene desperately wants to fit in and be liked and will please anyone to do so, but not without resentment being held. His desire to fit in and be something other then himself is shown in how quickly he is willing to join the army. Finny is an excellent athlete, charming, and funny. He can get away with just about anything, the rules just don’t seem to apply to him. When looking at the Myers-Briggs test I would classify him as an EFNP. These types of people are said to be warm and enthusiastic people, and good at almost anything they put their mind to. Finny has a certain hold over people, especially Gene. Gene begins to realize this when he thinks "What was I doing up here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me? (9)” Finny doesn’t mean to be manipulative or have a hold over people he is genuine in his desire to make things more fun for others. When looking at Gene and Finny as individuals you see two very different people. You see Gene as someone who feels the desire to