John Knowles’s novel, A Separate Peace, relates to the struggle of male adolescents growing up during the difficult times of World War II. Set at Devon Academy, a private Eastern preparatory school, the story focuses mainly on the relationship between Gene Forrester and his friend, Phineas, who attempt to isolate themselves from the war by creating a sheltered world at Devon during the summer and winter terms of 1942 and 1943. Events at Devon force Gene to grow up and to come to terms with the negative forces in him. The title alludes to both the peace from the anguish of war and personal peace, a lack of personal hatred or enmity. Knowles reveals that personal peace can be attained when an individual resolves internal conflicts and hatreds and therefore is protected from forces that destroy personal peace and the peace of the world. The novel’s title conveys this theme by focusing on Gene’s struggle to achieve a separate peace.
In the beginning, Gene faces his jealousy towards Finny in an attempt to find inner peace. The first time Gene shows jealousy is when Finny wears his school tie as a belt around his waist and doesn’t get in trouble for it. When one of Finny’s teachers stopped him, he gave him a long speech, and in the e
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One day Gene decides to put on Finny’s clothes, for no apparent reason. Gene’s jealousy leads him to jounce the limb and make Finny fall. Another time Gene shows jealousy is when Finny and him are at the beach. He feels that if he is a part of Finny, he was at peace with Finny and himself. He is quite happy with what he sees. Gene can’t believe Finny’s “intentions”.
From that point on, and as the book develops, Gene starts to be aware of his own evil side. Finny, being loyal to his class, decides that he can beat Parker’s time. Gene tries to brush it off, but Finny insists. That makes him guilty, so he tries to be as like as possible to Finny. Finny surprises him by telling him that he thinks he doesn’t need to study “…I didn’t think you ever did. Gene is somewhat excited for him, but Finny tells him not to tell anyone. His jealousy leads to guilt, which leads him to become as like as possible to Finny.
Approximate Word count =
1058
Approximate Pages =
4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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