• Category: Biographies
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Separate Peace

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a novel that focuses on the complex nature of two characters named Gene and Finny's relationship. As they got older they experienced many changes and went through different trials that left them looking at each other in two completely different ways due to the War. Finny and Gene have lot of different characteristics that make them so unique and so independent.

Gene was a young boy who was fighting a war within himself concerning whether to live in the isolated and peaceful prep school world or whether to move into the confusion of the adult world. At the same time he is trying to wage war against the dominance of his best friend's approach to life. Gene has always been a person who has been obedient and always followed rules and regulations, while Finny lives a carefree life.

Finny is a very competitive and athletic person. He often never thought twice before he did things. He is the complete opposite of Gene. Phineas is extremely competitive whereas Gene does not care too much for sports. Phineas is very inventive and persuasive whereas Gene goes with the crowd. Gene wants to study whereas Finny tries to study but gives up to fast. When they had French test to study for, Gene studied because he wanted to be ahead of the class and Finny went to the beach and missed the test. After all he lives in a world of happiness and joy and he communicates these qualities to the people he meets. By the characters being totally opposite, the way the story was set up it was bound for a tragedy to happen.

These two characters changed tremendously throughout this novel. As they grew they saw their differences and they just could not adjust completely to one another. Gene might have been a little jealous of Finny because of his athletic talents but at the same time angry at Finny because of his carefree attitude. Finny Liked Gene but because of his life style he had an unusual way...

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