A Separate Peace Gene And Finny Comparison

Words: 563
Pages: 3
Open Document
In the book “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles the two main characters named Gene and Finny; they are both different from each other but also the same. A few ways that Gene and Finny are different is that Gene is better in school and almost at the top of his class and Finny is only average getting C’s and D’s in his studies. An example of Gene being more serious is when Finny tells him that Leper is going to jump out of the tree and Gene snaps at Finny, Gene said “Studying! I snarled. Studying! You know books. Work. Examinations.” (p.57). Gene thinks that Finny is trying to ruin his grade so he gets really mad at Finny and doesn’t want to go see Leper jump out of the tree. Gene thinks that Finny is trying to bring him down from his studies so he can be better than him but he is not, Finny thought that Gene’s ability to learn came naturally like his skills in sports. All he said was “Don’t go” (p57). He said that but Gene wanted to go anyways. Also Gene is very shy and reserved while Finny is outgoing and has an optimistic view on life while. Finny is nice and when he missed dinner he used his nice view of the sunset and messing around as an excuse to get out of trouble. Finny says “we had …show more content…
So when Finny fell from the stairs and broke his legs and died during surgery, Gene did not cry he felt as if a part of him died because he was insecure and wanted to be Finny not himself. At the funeral he did not shed a single tear because he thought he died along with Finny and it was also his funeral. Gene had a almost codependent relationship with Finny because he wanted to be like him and not himself and Finny wanted to live out his dreams through Gene so they used each other for support not for friendship. Also they both are the same height and were good at sports till Finny fell from the tree. The boys are mostly different but in some ways the
Show More

Related Documents: A Separate Peace Gene And Finny Comparison

Essay Comparing Dead Poets Society And A Separate Peace

Society and A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Both pieces are about adolescent teens struggling to discover themselves. The similarities between the two works include many pairs of characters, such as Todd and Gene, Finny and Neal, and Mr. Keating and Finny. Todd and Gene are both shy teenagers who need someone to encourage them to come out of their shell. Finny and Neal are both leaders and Mr. Keating and Finny are both inspiration for change in Todd and Gene. These comparisons contribute to building…

Words 574 - Pages 3

A Separate Peace: Character Analysis

fictional novel written by John Knowles, A Separate Peace, takes place in a boarding school for high school boys, Devon School, during World War II; the novel tells the tragic experiences of the young boys who attend school there and the problems that occur between them and how they struggle with these issues. The two main characters in the story, Finny (Phineas) and Gene, are best friends, but a strain becomes placed on their friendship; Gene becomes envious of Finny and feels there is competition between…

Words 1286 - Pages 6

A Separate Peace Essay

Symbolism There are various symbols encased in the writing of A Separate Peace. Throughout the novel, the reader is shown the school life of a boy named Gene and his best friend Finny. The book begins with Gene returning to Devon, the boarding school he attended, after 15 years. Gene has a flashback to 1942, where he goes through every detail leading up to the death of Finny. Symbols are a major characteristic in A Separate Peace because the Summer and Winter Sessions, the tree, and Finny’s broken…

Words 582 - Pages 3

A Separate Peace 'And The Dead Poets' Society

Secret societies are a common thread between A Separate Peace and The Dead Poets' Society. The Devon School became home to the Summer Suicide Society, an exclusive club created by Gene Forrester and Finny. The group began after the the two made a dangerous jump from a tree limb into the river. The jumping off the tree symbolized jumping off of a plane. The boys viewed this as their contribution to the war. During this period, boys were being drafted into the war on a regular basis. The boys realized…

Words 645 - Pages 3

Gene And Finny Relationship

A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, uses World War 2 as the backdrop to the relationship that forms between two boys at a boarding school in New England. The two main characters, Finny and Gene are best friends, despite having vastly different personalities. The main conflict throughout the story is Gene's varying feelings of admiration for Finny and his moments of hatred for Finny for the reason that his skills that his skills so outclass Gene’s. Through the struggle of emotions in Gene, as well…

Words 841 - Pages 4

Adolescence In A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace The novel Separate Peace portrays adolescence as having a sense of wonder and terror showing that adolescents make impulsive decisions. Many events occurred in the novel that demonstrates the wonder that caused the characters actions and the terror of the outcomes. The time period of the novel adds to the accumulation of terror as it continues on. Adolescence is a difficult time considering the lack of experience one might have, making dependence on others inevitable; in comparison…

Words 641 - Pages 3

Essay Comparing Dead Poets Society And A Separate Peace

the Dead Poets Society and A Separate Peace is how the pressure to conform to society can corrupt a person, expressed through the development of the characters in each work. In the novel A Separate Peace, we see Gene, the narrator of the novel, telling the story as an adult, where he reflects upon his time at Devon 15 years ago. He admits that the reason for his visit is to see a flight of marble stairs and a tree by the river. Initially, Gene’s friendship with Finny is presented as innocent and…

Words 460 - Pages 2

Naguamsett Vs. Devon Rivers: A Comparative Analysis

and give depth to Gene and the world around them. The boys at Devon, particularly Gene, do not truly understand the outside world as they are trapped within an intentionally crafted bubble of ignorance and naivete. The isolation of the Devon River reflects this, compared to the Naguamsett’s connection to the outer world. Unlike the Devon's safety and calmness, the Naguamsett is seen as terrifying and unpredictable. The comparisons between the Naguamsett and the Devon force Gene to unknowingly reflect…

Words 1079 - Pages 5

A Separate Peace Essay

A SEPARATE PEACE By John Knowles Background  The novel is set at Devon, a private boarding school in New Hampshire, during World War II. The novel begins with the main characters, Gene and Finny, at Devon for a summer session. The school hopes that this session will allow students to receive a diploma before they are drafted on their 18th birthday. Gene and Finny are roommates and friends at the school. Finny is a natural athlete who also acts as a leader for the other boys. Gene, however, is…

Words 2153 - Pages 9

Summary Of A Separate Peace By John Knowles

indicative of not only certain individuals, but also the circumstances of the world that they live in. A perfect example of this is shown in A Separate Peace by John Knowles, where a tree becomes a daily refuge for the main characters during the summer session, providing an escape from their responsibilities but also fostering Gene’s growing jealousy and hatred. Gene Forrester is invited by his companion Phineas to once again jump off the tree, as it was routine at the time for members of the Super Suicide…

Words 953 - Pages 4