Friendship is the main theme in John Knowles' novel A Separate Peace. Gene Forrester, an intellectual student and Finny, his roommate at Devon School who is usually misbehaving, has charismatic ways, which usually exempt him from punishment. The two have opposing interests and personalities, yet still remain close friends. Gene, envying Finnys' athletic ability, thinks that Finny, in return, envies his academic achievements, and he suspects that Finny is trying to divert him from his work. Gene's doubts turn into indignant hatred. Yet, when Gene realizes that he has been mistaken of the existence of Finny trying to distract him due to the fact that one day, Finny expresses a desire to see Gene succeed, Gene realizes they have been friends the whole time, and through it all that's what friendship is. Together they get through the summer, and the hardships of losing other friends and classmates to the war.
             The reader really starts to see the close relationship the two of them have, right from when they are introduced. Their friendship is clearly present at many occasions through out the novel.
             Finny urges Gene into making a dangerous jump off of a tree into the near by river, and the two start a secret society based on this as the ritual. When Finny attempts to make the jump Gene bends his knees, causing the branch to break Finny to fall and break his leg. Once the doctor tells Gene, Finny won't be able to play many sports, Gene feels he is at fault, and he feels that he is to blame. Finny, is sent home before Gene has a chance to talk to him. When Gene goes to visit Finny during his summer brake, Finny won't listen to him explaining it was his fault.
             Leper, the first to enlist in the army from Devon school, is also friends with Gene and Finny. Brinker Hadley, another friend at the school, suggests to Gene that he enlists in the army too, and so Gene agrees. That night, however, Gene finds out that F
             ...