In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, two school-aged friends, Phineas and Gene, go through many trials and tribulations together that mold Gene from a very dependent person to a very independent person. During World War II, Phineas (Finny) and Gene are juniors at a New England prep school called Devon. Many of their friends are being drafted into the war. However, they are unaware of the threat of enlistment, thinking the war is a big joke. During the summer, they spend much of their time together at the school. During this time, Gene wants to stay in his room and study while Finny wants to go out for a swim in the river. Gene eventually goes with him even though he does not want to. Once they reach the river, Finny finds a large tree, climbs to the top branch, and jumps out of the tree. Afterwards, he talks Gene into doing the same. Reluctantly, Gene jumps out of the tree to prove himself to Finny. Afterwards, Finny tells Gene that he has a “tendency to back away from things” when Finny isn’t around (10). Gene, seconds later, declares, “I never backed away from anything in my life,” but then he admits that he feels bad because Finny’s statement is “so true” (10). This shows his dependence because he is actually admittin
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In the course of Gene’s Year at Devon, he becomes more independent for one very important reason. It also shows that if Finny had not tricked him into jumping, he would have never done it in the first place. Gene claims that in the past months “Phineas and [he] have grown apart on this” (96). Later in the story, Finny finally returns, his leg bound in a cast.
Finny and Gene, while walking to class, are ushered into the auditorium. But, soon Gene’s independence would reach a maximum. This is evidence that he has realized that a piece of him (Finny) has died and it is a piece he will have to live without. Yet Gene’s decisions are less and less influenced by Finny. Gene, days after Finny’s fall, takes up a job as Crew Manager. When he mentions joining the Navy, he also states, “I had no qualms at all; in fact I could feel now the gathering, glowing sense of sureness in the face of it” (195). Right before Finny dives out, Gene shakes the limb of the tree, causing Finny to lose his balance and fall out of the tree, fracturing his leg. He becomes more independent because, in order to be successful in the world, one has to be able to exist on ones own and make decisions for oneself. Later that day, Gene mentions that he has finally “done it for himself,” without the help of Finny (72). This in itself shows Gene’s independence because he knows Finny would be disappointed with his decision to be part of the crew instead of playing a sport.
Approximate Word count =
1207
Approximate Pages =
5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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