Analysis Of John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

There are an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the universe, and over 100 billion planets within each one, and yet humans are the only complex life forms that we know of, so what makes us so special? A Separate Peace, written by John Knowles, describes the relationship, coming of age, and general life of two boys, Phineas and Gene, while they study at an private high school during the war. The Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy on the other hand, was written by Douglas Adams, and it details the adventure of four intergalactic life forms as they journey to Magrathea. Knowles uses the once dysfunctional relationship of Finny and Gene to demonstrate how gaining perspective on another’s position is integral in maintaining life-giving relationships.

Not only do healthy relationships eliminate insanity with social interaction and famine with sharing, but they also extinguish mutinies. Upon receiving a note instructing that he bring some of Finny’s clothes, Gene goes to the infirmary and talks with his crippled friend: “‘Finny,’ my voice broke but I went on, ‘Phineas, you wouldn’t be any good in the war, even if nothing happened to your leg’… His face had been struggling to stay calm as his listened to me, but now he was crying but trying to control himself. ‘It was just some kind of blind impulse you had in the tree…’” (Knowles). When attempting to thrive in the galaxy, one must be able to maintain life-sustaining relationships, and Knowles proposes that a large component of that is identifying extant power imbalances. Notice how Gene’s voice falters as he introduces a heartfelt, yet contradictory opinion, suggesting that he holds an oppressed position. Had both boys been on the same power level, either of them would have felt free to share any upsetting thoughts, yet Gene’s inferior role induces trepidation when going through with such an action. Moreover, observe how Finny begins to cry while listening to the perspective of his friend. After taking the time to comprehend his friend’s words, the character gains a supplementary perspective on

Certain situations can determine the life or death of a group, but unless its significance is spotted and addressed early on, it could mean mortality for all participants. After the four galaxy-hitchhikers enter Magrathea’s atmosphere, two “complementary” missiles are fired at their spaceship: “Ford tapped Zaphod on the shoulder and pointed at the rear screen. Clear in the distance behind them two silver darts were climbing through the atmosphere towards the ship. A quick change in magnification brought them into close focus- two massively real rockets thundering through the sky” (Adams 125). When trying to thrive in the universe, one must be able to overcome predicaments with ease, and Adams uses the notions of the two missiles to represent these difficult, and even life-altering situations. Notice how a quick change in magnification allows for the characters’ perception of the rockets, and thus a particular transformative event, to be completely altered. Their additional outlook allows them to fathom both the gravity and danger of the projectiles, for they no longer see them as distant problems, but rather as one massively real one. Had perspective not been gained, the true gravity of their situation would not have been thoroughly assessed, and their deaths would have resulted. Also observe how the