A Separate Peace By John Knowles: An Analysis

Words: 1155
Pages: 5
Open Document
The teenage years of life are filled with strong bonds with those around you as well as self discovery amidst what can be a vast sea of emotions. In these years you decide who you want to be in life as you develop both physically and mentally. In John Knowles’ A Separate Peace, he raises the question “How does war affect that development in adolescent minds”. He attempts to answer this question through a look into the life of Gene Forrester as he reminisces about his years spent at Devon and the experiences and friendships that were had there. It’s through these experiences we see the toll of war on young minds as they grow and walk the path to adulthood.
One of the greatest effects of the war on the boys of Devon is an increased sense of competition in their relationships. What started as innocent admiration of each other’s skills between Gene and Phineas quickly developed into very heated, mostly one-sided competition. Normally, high school rivalries are a good way to push both parties to be the best they can, but in the high stress environment the boys inhabit, those rivalries can escalate very quickly. Gene’s attitude towards Phineas’ physical prowess changed from his initial indifference “I didn’t really think about it myself. What difference did it make? It was just a game.” (Knowles 32), to a later hatred of Phineas’ skills. “ You are even in enmity […] You did hate him for breaking that school swimming record, but so what? He hated you for getting an A in every course but …show more content…
Through the mix of normal teenage life and preparations to be sent off to war, Knowles gives some answers to that question. In a way his novel serves as a look into the minds of those that had only a few years to be kids before joining the thousands of others in the same
Show More

Related Documents: A Separate Peace By John Knowles: An Analysis

Analysis Of The Book 'A Separate Peace' By John Knowles

A Separate Peace Analysis Essay A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a realistic historical fiction. In this novel, many things will be revealed one of them is the character of Gene. Gene’s character is revealed to us in his hometown of Devon, his experiences in Devon’s school for boys, and during World War 2. Devon was always a peaceful place. Nothing happening and nothing going on. Gene’s describes this place as boring but he wouldn't have any other place. That was until the war came he described…

Words 351 - Pages 2

An Analysis Of John Knowles A Separate Peace

of A Separate Peace A Separate Peace is a heartfelt novel about the main character, Gene, a troubled young man who can't function without his best friend Finny's guidance. Set in 1960’s, New Hampshire, John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace was challenged in many high schools throughout the United States due to complaints on vulgar language, negative attitudes expressed by teenagers, and homosexual overtones. Although the novel is controversial, the literary devices used in A Separate Peace—symbolism…

Words 686 - Pages 3

Analysis Of A Separate Peace By John Knowles

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a fictional story. The setting of a book can help the reader better understand the story, whats happening in the story, and even the characters in it. Throughout the novel, the setting of a story helps us reveal what type of people the characters are. One of the characters, Finny, can be revealed by the setting of Devon High as friendly, creative, and courageous. Finny can be seen as a very friendly person at Devon High. In chapter two, the quote reveals that Finny…

Words 494 - Pages 2

Analysis Of John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

John Knowles’ semi-autobiographical novel A Separate Peace explores how everything, including characters, must evolve or perish. Set in the Devon School (an exclusive New England prep. school) during World War II, the novel tells the story of the first-person narrator Gene Forrester and his best friend Finny. Knowles relates the struggles of the characters to figure out how they will find their place in a world at war. It also reveals the internal conflict all people face as they age. Thus, A Separate…

Words 607 - Pages 3

A Separate Peace By John Knowles: Character Analysis

A Separate Peace is a fictional book written by John Knowles, it takes place during WW1. The protagonist Gene tells the story from an adult perspective, looking back at his teenage years. The other main character in the book was Finny, he was Gene's best friend, and roommate, he helps carry on the book, and gives the book reason. The story's title is relevant throughout the book, it is also tied to everybody that is involved in the war. The theme of A Separate Peace is that even when things are going…

Words 667 - Pages 3

A Separate Peace By John Knowles: A Character Analysis

In the modern world and in all of history we see how important evolution is to surviving. This is also seen in the novel “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles, where everything has to evolve or else it perishes. Characters must change with the world around them or else they could be left behind or in danger. This theme shows up multiple times throughout the book and becomes very evident in two characters. The first example is when Finny falls out of the tree and breaks his leg. At the beginning of…

Words 782 - Pages 4

Analysis Of The Novel 'A Separate Peace' By John Knowles

1. The significance of Knowels using the literary device of a flashback to tell the story in a separate peace is that you get to see a different perspective of the story then you would have if the story was told in the present. Because the story is told from an adult perspective we get to see and understand the story as a whole and in a more mature away. One thing that limits the story considering it is told from an adult perspective is that the reader does not get to experience and understand details…

Words 992 - Pages 4

Character Analysis: A Separate Peace By John Knowles

In the story a separate peace by John Knowles two boys named Gene and Finny are friends in a military school during the 1940’s. they are both very different from each other and it all seems to work out for them. After reading the first few chapters of the book you realize that Finny is competitive, bold, a leader, athletic, and quite childish. Whereas Gene is Not so athletic, more of an introvert, and a follower. But later, as the book goes on you realize that the two are not really as compatible…

Words 362 - Pages 2

Character Analysis: A Separate Peace By John Knowles

every athlete want. The friendship doesn't only bring smiles and laughs,but reveals a dark side, only building suspense throughout the book. Gene visits his past not to confront his actions, but to reflect on his actions. In " A Separate Peace " written by John Knowles writes about Gene a character, overwhelmed by jealousy committing despicable acts he can't control. Genes doesn't feel remorse for throwing Gene of the tree and causing his death, but only reveals his dark side he has no a shame of…

Words 439 - Pages 2

A Separate Peace By John Knowles: A Character Analysis

Figuring out who someone really is can be difficult, but usually it is worth going through the struggle. In the novel A Separate Peace, John Knowles fashions a story about a group of young boys living at a World War II era boarding school, who discover the dark and dreary side of their adolescence. The author John Knowles emphasizes the close relationship of Gene and Finny who get along with one another until Gene purposely harms Finny. As the plot progresses, however, Finny and Gene mature and learn…

Words 1232 - Pages 5