Essay, Research Paper: Separate Peace By John Knowels

Literature: World War


Dealing with enemies has been a problem ever since the beginning of time. In A
World War 2 dealing with few human enemies, but his emotions create a nemesis
far greater than any human enemy. "I never killed anybody," Gene had
commented later in his adulthood, "And I never developed an intense level
was on active duty all my time at Devon; I killed my enemy there." Now
about the enemies that Gene had put into his own life. Gene had a best friend,
was never the source, but the core of most of Gene's feelings, both good and
bad. First, one of the biggest problems that Gene had, that is jealousy. Gene
was jealous of Finny's confidency, openness, modesty, superb athletic abilities,
foot, 8Ѕ inches, while Gene replies 5 foot, 9 inches. Finny pointed out
that they were the same height and you shouldn't be ashamed to tell anybody your
real height. Later that day, they skip dinner to go swimming in the river, by
Finny's choice, and are asked where they were on return. Finny quickly replied
bent during the summer session, but it was actually Finny's people skills that
was, on one occasion Finny wore a bright pink shirt "symbolizing the first
U.S. bombing in Europe. Gene called him a "faerie" but really envied
that it represented "Devon in the war." Gene was hopeingly awaiting a
pool, Gene timed him and he beat it, just like that. Gene wanted to get an
official scorekeeper so Finny could get a plaque but Finny said "no, in my
head I know that I did it, that's all that matters," thus demonstrating
beach, which wasn't allowed. This was done at Finny's request, Gene was going to
study for a test, but he felt that he can't say no to Finny so hey went. At the
pal" and Gene wanted to reply, but he wasn't sure about it himself and he
also has a hard time expressing his true feelings. That was his first enemy, now
the next, anger. Gene's anger isn't too bad alone but when jealousy and anger
are lurking in the same domain, they prove to be a deadly combination. Gene was
angry about such things as Finny's ability not to get in trouble, and Gene's
unwillingness to say "no" to Finny, but the real war started when he
got the idea that because Finny has low grades, he wanted to lower Gene's grades
as well so he will better than Gene. Gene believed that Finny was trying to
Society, going to the beach and all this "you're my best friend
stuff." Other than that, there is little anger between Finny and Gene. One
he said no. Finny took no offense and went along like nothing happened, but Gene
couldn't stand saying no to Finny and went anyway. Now he was enraged on the
has broken Finny's leg, it is all his fault, his best friend can never play
sports again because of him. All his fault. This is really eating at him and he
that he did actually cause him too fall but Finny doesn't want to hear any of
those words being spoken from Gene's lips so he doesn't let him say anything
else about the tree incident. Now well into the winter session, Brinker, a
new that he had caused Finny's accident, because of that Gene suggested they go
a bunch of "the fellas" jokingly trying to get Gene to say that he
say that he actually did push Finny out of the tree. Soon there is a heavy
snowfall and nobody was there to shovel the snow off the tracks in a nearby
train yard, because the workers were fighting in the war so many of the boys
from Devon had volunteered to help shovel the snow. Hours later, after they were
done, a train with many happy, young and energetic newly enlisted soldiers in
it, it was then that Brinker declared that he was enlisting, and we soon find
out that Gene wanted to enlist to help him get away from his problems and start
anew, but due to Finny's strong disapproval, he stayed at Devon. We now find out
that Gene thinks that there is always something deadly lurking in everything he
wants, even if he has to place it there himself. Finny had gone home for a time
because of his shattered leg but soon returned to Devon. The day after he
returned, he wanted Gene to cut class and help him take a "tour" of
proud and bold, but Leper, he just left. The next few weeks are all in
Near the end Gene has received a telegram from Leper stating that he "had
escaped." Finny had no Idea what he had escaped from. Gene went to the
place specified on the card: Leper's home. When there Gene found that Leper had
gone crazy. He was "nervous in the service" and had developed quite a
psychotic personality. Gene and Leper start out talking friendly but Leper
suddenly lashes out at Gene calling him "high and mighty, savage," and
"lord of the manner," this lead to Leper accusing Gene that he had
caused Finny's accident which made Gene kick Leper out of his chair. Gene had
Finny's room with some of his friends and took the two to the auditorium in the
first building. There were several other boys waiting and made the two sit down,
bounce up and down, but he would not reveal who fell that day. Finny has finally
the steps to their room but he didn't make it down the steps safely, he fell and
in a chair which reminded Gene of an "tragic, exalted personage."
outside Finny's window while the Doctor and wrestling coach do a little work on
Finny, by now Gene is hysterical, he can't stop laughing, he just can't. After
and tries to talk to Finny but Finny reacts in anger saying "come to break
more of my bones," but Gene has the sense to stay outside and he finally
says "Finny, I'm sorry." Over and over again: "Finny I'm
Sorry." Gene makes his way to the stadium and falls asleep under the
on the door asking him to bring Finny's clothes and toilet articles to the
infirmary, so he packs them and brings them to Finny. When he got there a phrase
came to mind: "this is it" very appropriate for the challenge he now
faces. Gene enters and places the suitcase on Finny's bed, Finny sorts through
everybody and doesn't have the heart to kill. At this point Finny has a 100%
tells him "you have already shown me, I believe you." Those are
Finny's last words to Gene symbolizing the forgiveness that has taken place.
extension of Finny and "you can't cry at your own funeral." Gene did
others. He realized it but didn't believe it, Gene feels that wars are made by
"something ignorant in the human heart." Gene was ready for the war
little at a time, and that's how Gene has changed-he is taking that same
approach also. Hate, anger, fear jealousy, and the enemies in the human heart
are gone from Gene now, Finny has taken them with him to his grave.
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