Theme Of Naturalism In A Separate Peace
A Separate Peace was a novel that captures the struggle of a boy trying to find himself during World War II. THe boy, Gene Forrester, quickly befriends a quirky and jovial kid, however the jealously and angst Gene harbors will cause him to make impulsive decisions that will inevitably change him. The novel takes place in Devon prep school in which author, John Knowles, uses to portray various symbols. Specifically, John Knowles uses naturalism to convey a deeper meaning to the old tree and to the two rivers respectively. To a great extent, this novel’s plotline revolves around a tree located on Devon campus, to Gene and Finny a lot of their summer was spent with this tree. Probably the most pivotal moment, in regards to the tree, was Gene
jouncing the limb to make Finny fall. Knowles utilizes the tree in such a way for it to have different meanings. In one case, the tree portrays how intrusive the war is to daily life, in that, teenagers now view something as beautiful as a tree like weapon. Gene states "It had loomed in my memory as a huge lone spike dominating the riverbank, forbidding as an artillery piece, high as a beanstalk" (1.17). Moreover, many senior students utilize this tree to practice jumping from a torpedoed naval ship, “When they torpedo the troopship,” he shouted, “you can’t stand around admiring the view.” Jump!” (1.17). On a similar plane, the tree would represent some sort of sacrifice, in Gene’s case he loses his innocence when he jounces the limb: Holding firmly to the trunk, I took a step toward him, and then my knees bent and I jounced the limb. Finny, his balance gone, swung his head around to look at me for an instant with extreme interest, and then he tumbled sideways, broke through the little branches below and hit the bank with a sickening, unnatural thud. It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten” (4.59).
On the other hand, Finny sacrifices his ability for athletics because of the accident related to the tree; “Listen, pal, if I can’t play sports, you’re going to play them for me” (6.77).
Aside from the tree, the two rivers located near the campus are ,also, important settings in the story. The rivers, the Devon and the Naguamsett, are described as polar opposites and their qualities can be related to Gene and Finny. The Naguamsett was portrayed as unfamiliar and ugly to the Devon students. Gene states "Never used this lower river, the Naguamsett. It was ugly, saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed”(6.76). This can be related to Gene, this ugly individual inside who let jealousy and hatred overcome him. On the other hand, the Devon rivers is the polar opposite to the Naguamsett. It is described as clean and narrow with fresh water. Gene states the Naguamsett River was "...nothing like the fresh-water Devon..." (6.76). This river fits Finny’s pure heart. Moreover, after Gene pushed Finny, he never sets foot in the Devon again, his wrongdoing prevents him from doing so. Also, Gene, in fact, fell into the Naguamsett after his fight with Quackenbush, it is like he is wallowing in his own guilt.
jouncing the limb to make Finny fall. Knowles utilizes the tree in such a way for it to have different meanings. In one case, the tree portrays how intrusive the war is to daily life, in that, teenagers now view something as beautiful as a tree like weapon. Gene states "It had loomed in my memory as a huge lone spike dominating the riverbank, forbidding as an artillery piece, high as a beanstalk" (1.17). Moreover, many senior students utilize this tree to practice jumping from a torpedoed naval ship, “When they torpedo the troopship,” he shouted, “you can’t stand around admiring the view.” Jump!” (1.17). On a similar plane, the tree would represent some sort of sacrifice, in Gene’s case he loses his innocence when he jounces the limb: Holding firmly to the trunk, I took a step toward him, and then my knees bent and I jounced the limb. Finny, his balance gone, swung his head around to look at me for an instant with extreme interest, and then he tumbled sideways, broke through the little branches below and hit the bank with a sickening, unnatural thud. It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten” (4.59).
On the other hand, Finny sacrifices his ability for athletics because of the accident related to the tree; “Listen, pal, if I can’t play sports, you’re going to play them for me” (6.77).
Aside from the tree, the two rivers located near the campus are ,also, important settings in the story. The rivers, the Devon and the Naguamsett, are described as polar opposites and their qualities can be related to Gene and Finny. The Naguamsett was portrayed as unfamiliar and ugly to the Devon students. Gene states "Never used this lower river, the Naguamsett. It was ugly, saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed”(6.76). This can be related to Gene, this ugly individual inside who let jealousy and hatred overcome him. On the other hand, the Devon rivers is the polar opposite to the Naguamsett. It is described as clean and narrow with fresh water. Gene states the Naguamsett River was "...nothing like the fresh-water Devon..." (6.76). This river fits Finny’s pure heart. Moreover, after Gene pushed Finny, he never sets foot in the Devon again, his wrongdoing prevents him from doing so. Also, Gene, in fact, fell into the Naguamsett after his fight with Quackenbush, it is like he is wallowing in his own guilt.