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 it as if “Peace has deserted Devon”(Knowles,page 72). To Gene Devon will always be his home even in the worst of times.
Devon’s school for boys was the school Gene attended as a teenager. In chapter 1 and older version of Gene goes back to the school