seperate peace

The novel, “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles looks into the life of young men on the verge of adulthood. Some of them are not able to cope, while others deal with life and make the best of it. The novel does an excellent job of portraying life during World War II, as seen through the eyes of a young boy.

The story takes places in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the Devon School. It opens during the summer of 1942. In A Separate Peace, the main character, Gene, starts to feel as though him and Phineas (aka Finny, his best friend) are in rivalry against each other. Gene thinks that Finny is purposely trying to ruin his grades, while trying to get him to excel him in sports. Because of these thoughts, he diligently worked on his studies: "I redoubled my effort… trying to be even with him” and be "even in enmity,"(Knowles 46). Soon enough his thoughts of rivalry, enmity, and anger ultimately led him to jounce the limb that Finny was standing on. After it was found out that Finny's broken leg would stop him from playing any sports (skillfully), Gene's guilt began to escalate. When he went to see Finny in the hospital, he tried to tell him about jouncing the limb on purpose, but was stopped when the doctor came in. T

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The book gives an accurate portrayal of the time during World War II, as seen through the eyes of boys on the verge of being drafted. He is constantly struggling, trying to keep his peace of mind. Prentice-Hall Literature, Platinum, 1996 Ed.

Works Cited

“A Separate Peace. It’s okay because I understand and I believe you. The tree in A Separate Peace has the same effect on Gene as the river has on Huck. Gene is much like Huck, when Huck is finally able to accept the way he feels about turning in Jim, he laves his childhood and moves into manhood. You’ve already shown me and I believe you,” (183). So, in searching for separate peace they found a bond of friendship, which cannot be broken. As the story unfolds their relationship is put to the test. Throughout the novel Gene and Finny are searching in order to find themselves, but they are also drawn to each other. Oh that was it, but how can you believe that?” I do, I think I can believe that. Here he is able to face and conquer his fears.

Approximate Word count = 1419
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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