The novel A Separate Peace is a perfect example of literature that involves deep thinking and understanding. John Knowles does not use obvious hints in his writing that allow his readers to understand situations. Instead he uses lots of subtle ideas, and tends to use his characters quite a bit to show emotions and moods in the story. A strong example of when Mr. Knowles did this was with his character Leper Lepellier. Instead of showing us a deeper view into Leper's life and characteristics, he uses him as a window into other aspects of our main characters. Leper, as some may say, was used as a character foil. He showed the readers different aspects of the novel, giving us a better idea of what was going on with Phineas, Gene, and the current situation presented in the story.
When first introduced to Phineas, readers get the impression that he is super man. He’s popular, athletic, and from what we know of, fairly good-looking. Gene is overcome with jealousy for his friend, and is constantly trying to keep up to him. It isn’t until Leper is introduced as a shy, quiet boy, that we start to see the other side of Finny. Leper is at the scene of the tree when many important things happen. He’s one of the many members of the Super Su
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All three boys seem to be living in an unrealistic mindset; Leper helps us to see that. He also tries to tell himself that he would not of enlisted in the war if he had not been hurt, and that the war wasn’t actually happening, even thought the only reason he had held back from enlisting was because the army would not accept him and his injury. Leper also makes it evident that Gene has a whole other side to him as well. Leper shows us a different side of Phineas; one that no one would of ever dreamt existed. He proves with words and understanding that because of his jealousy, Gene purposely shook the branch so Finny would fall. Although the author doesn’t spend all of his time describing Lepers character, readers get to see enough of his life and how he impacts people in the things he says and does. He shows us how Finny is not as strong as he pretends. Because he enjoys other activities that the other boys forget about, we see the difference between the boy’s perspectives. He is an excellent student and seems to be an average athlete, yet he is constantly living under Finny’s shadows. In fact a lot of the time readers might actually forget there was a war even going on, because of the boys lives and the activities they were fixed on.
Leper is one of, if not the most, important characters in this entire novel. Leper also establishes a firm knowledge of reality in the novel. Without his character, this novel would not have had the same influence on its readers, he made easier to follow. The kind, shy boy who went off to war, came back stark mad. Leper also shows us a kind side to Gene.
Approximate Word count =
1146
Approximate Pages =
5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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