Throughout the story A Separate Peace, Gene’s change is due to his obsession over Phineas. Because Finny saves Gene’s life, he developed special feelings for him. After that, Gene tries extra hard to be like Finny. Although Gene feels as if he has complete and utter control over Finny, he doesn’t. But by the end of the story, Gene’s feelings toward Finny reverse themselves. Gene’s obsession with Phineas takes a toll on him to the point that he can no longer handle it.…
There are many well-known themes in the book A Separate Peace. One of the most themes is a coming of age for the boys who live and learn at Devon school. For some boys at this school, a coming of age means more opportunities, and for some others, means a chance to go from being a boy, to becoming a man. A large contradiction in this book is innocence vs. ignorance. For some boys the innocence will be destroyed in order for a coming of age to take place. In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, growing up at Devon school means that each and every boy will be faced with a simple decision, kill off your innocence, or let it destroy you, physically and/or mentally.…
The great writer George Orwell once stated, “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not." (Orwell). Knowles had this same struggle, and like Orwell used it to his advantage. The novels of John Knowles reflect his personal background and frequently explore the time period in which he lived through WWII. Throughout his life he reflected on his childhood, nurtured his love and ability of writing, and was rewarded for his great works in literature.…
In the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles one of the main characters, Phineas experiences a loss of innocence. This loss of innocence relates to a bigger theme in the novel. This bigger theme is that you must mature and evolve or you will perish. Phineas also known as Finny is very childish and prioritizes play over work, he has trouble accepting that there is a war going on, and he denies major events such as Gene jouncing the limb. Innocence must be lost in order to mature and Finny has a brutal time doing so.…
A Separate Peace is a novel written by John Knowles that takes place in the 1940's. There are several examples of symbolism that are used in A Separate Peace. One is when the character named Leper is called scarecrow or snowman. Other examples that John Knowles uses are the old buildings outside at the Devon School and also the character Finny. Symbolism is a good thing in this story because it gives the readers a larger advantage to reading the story.…
Imagine a world where societies were able to coexist and functioned through eyes of acceptance and love. This idea of universal peace is exciting and enticing to many, however this idealized world is realistically impossible. People are irrational and carry a heavy indifference for others. Throughout all time people have struggled to coexist, whether it be over cultures, ideas, patorism, hate, or religion; conflict is inevitable. Acceptance is the key to a utopian world, however there will always exist an underlying hate in society.…
As famous rapper Eminem once said, are you calling me, are you trying to get through. Are you reaching out for me, I’m reaching out for you. In John Knowles’ fictional novel A Separate Peace, the lives of three young men, Gene Forrester, Elwin “Leper” Lepellier, and Phineas, are shaped and constructed by the world war that is happening along side them. In their final year at the Devon school, the reality of the war becomes astonishingly more apparent when their detached unity is fragmentized. Each of the boy’s is impacted and affected by the war in a different way.…
Conflict is inevitable, and constantly present in life. Whether it’s obvious and right in front of your face or hidden beneath a pile of lies someone will always suffer because of it. Although that being said, without it- would we truly understand the importance of peace? There are some out there who believe that some of the greatest triumphs and acts of the human spirit were during times of great conflict such as wars and repression’s. But I believe that these events have caused the most horrific demonstrations of human nature in the act of killing the innocent.…
In life we often deny the truth even if we’re in the wrong, because accepting that someone else may be right is much worse than denial. My mom is always right. Sometimes I try to outsmart her, because I can’t face the fact that I’m wrong and she’s correct. At times Finny has a hard time in accepting the painful truth in the novel, whether it be from misunderstanding or denial. Finny, in A Separate Peace, has a flaw of acceptance when conveyed with the painful truth that contributes to the reader’s positive perception of him.…
T.E Apter once said, "Fantasy must be understood not as an escape from reality, but as an investigation of it." This means that one's imagination is not an escape from reality, but rather a better way to understand it. In A Separate Peace, this idea is refuted, as the two main characters try avoiding a crude and cruel reality that follows them. In one instance, Finny and Gene prepare for the Olympics of 1944, an imaginary event which would only take place in their minds. These Olympics become part of an even bigger fantasy that the war is only a charade. Meanwhile the fantasy that their friendship is so strong negates the painful possibility that Gene is responsible for Finny's tragedy. These two teenage boys are not trying to interpret reality, but instead creating a new one as they desperately want and need one just for them.…
Are you thankful for every day you have on earth? Well, you should be. In the First World War, one thousand six hundred and forty nine Canadian soldiers under the age of eighteen risked their lives, and three hundred and sixty five of these soldiers died for our freedom. In the novel, “A SEPARATE PEACE”, by John Knowles, The main character Gene undergoes various situations that are influenced by the war, including the incident of Gene jostling the branch causing Phineas to fall from the tree, the participation of contributing to the war, and the emotional impact on the loss of Genes best friend Phineas. As the war in Europe increases its impact on Devon, the author uses the characters to show that young boys are the most vulnerable. The war causes boys to grow out of their childlike selves and become men. The war turns boys into men because only a man can kill another other human, the war causes boys to work, which is a mans job, emotional stress from war causes boys to turn into men, and the war propaganda encourages boys to contribute to the war.…
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, I wish that society would overcome the crippling and arbitrary views on race and religion. The very concept of dividing and separating members of the humanity based on color and nationality is asinine given that race is a social construct. The insipid and manmade concepts of race and religion has ignited and induced countless bloodshed among individuals who neglect that all participants in the deadly and unnecessary evil of war are members of the human race. The inventions of race and religion have only serve to divide individuals on the values and morals when morality cannot be defined.…
In every part of life there have been various disputes involving religion, culture, gender, class, and ethnicity that has created an endless conflict of war. And why is this? It all has to deal with human variability. It is this, in which causes such arguments take affect and create barriers between others. Communication is the only resolution to conflict; yet many argue that ignorance is the occurrence of conflict evolving many factors of tradition, power, and authority that can never be resolved. Conflict is an inevitable part of our lives that is developed through the differences in race and appearance thoughts and opinions, as well as a person’s overall identity.…
Canada’s multiculturalism, democratic system of government and healthcare system are my top three choices that make me proud to be Canadian. From all the countries in the west, Canada is the only country to rank in the top 20 most diverse and multicultural countries (Morin). Not to mention, Toronto which is a city located in Canada is the most ethnically diverse and multicultural city in the entire planet (Rouse). I am proud to have multiculturalism in Canada since it promotes diversity and demonstrates how people from all cultures can live together in peace and harmony. Multiculturalism is a marvelous way to meet new people and discover various traditions and cultures. Additionally, it brings new foods to savor, interesting cultural activities…
Women still face the problem of lack of promotion in law enforcement to supervisors and command ranks, white males seem to be promoted for these positions then females’ .The…