Gene’s Impulsivity
The truth behind Finny’s accident in A Separate Peace can be debated. Like Brinker, many people question Gene Forrester’s involvement in Finny’s accident. The question of Gene’s role is largely left up to the reader’s interpretation of purpose. In John Knowles’ A Separate Peace, Gene’s impulsivity is made clear by his behavior prior to Finny’s fall. Gene’s envy towards Phineas is blatantly obvious. When Gene is convinced there is a competition between himself and his friend, he starts studying more to outshine Finny (Knowles 54). Although Gene’s jealousy drives him to achieve more academically, he never once mentions a plan to cause harm to Phineas. After Phineas tells