A separate Peace
People become tragically alienated from societies for having strange opinions about life and for clenching on to their moral beliefs. In the tragedy "A Separate Peace" John Knowles explores this idea thoroughly through its modern tragic hero Phineas. Because of his personal belief of not having enemies, and ability to withstand things others can not handle, Phineas does not seem to fit in his violent society and thus can be considered a lonely alien. Phinny suspects that the rest of the society beholds the same mentality and tries to seek equality between people, which turns out to be his personal tragic flaw leading to his suffering and downfall. The tragedy that Phineas goes through allows him to appear as a modern tragic hero to the readers, leaving a deep impact inside. Phineas is considered a modern tragic hero for having four basic characteristics: sacrificing, being a victim of society, suffering from his flaw, and leaving a sense of triumph, which leave a deep meaningful impact on the reader.Sacrificing for the sake of a strong friendship, Phineas is seen as a modern tragic hero. In this novel Phineas mainly sacrifices for one reason, which is his precious friendship with Gene. The two develop a strong friendship and d
Phineas suffers greatly from his flaw of forgiving and feels deep guilt and regression, which drive him mad and lead to his demise. I'm tired and you make me sick. The whole characteristics of the modern tragic hero give the reader a deeper meaning of life, a wider understanding of people and their opinions about aspects of life, and a deeper understanding of the modern violent society and the many wars we find it. Although Phineas dies in the end, a sense of triumph is evident where Gene benefits making Phinny a modern tragic hero. Tragically Phineas suffers in his violent society and remains confused about this violence, ending up being a true victim looking for a separate peace. Weren't you?" (Knowles, 147) He simply can not have an enemy and easily accuse someone, especially a close soul mate like Gene. Phineas suffers guilt and regrets having his good spirit after recognizing his flaw and seeing where it got him. Moreover, we understand that the enemy Gene kills was actually just another side of him that longed to be like Phinny, and now that it is gone, he feels his problems are gone with it. At the climax of the story where the trial is held and Gene is accused, it is sensed that Phineas finally comprehends what his friend has done to him. Moreover, the readers wonder who really deserves to die for the sake of the other, but again, they realize that Phinny would never fit in such a society. I'm going to hit you if you don't sit down. Before, Gene was struggling to find his true identity while going through his change from a child to a man at an early age because of war.
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Acceptance Essays
