Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Chapter 2 of peer pressure
The effect of peer pressure
Conclusion on conformity vs individualism
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Chapter 2 of peer pressure
In the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the theme of conforming, and expressing individualism is elicited by Gene and Finny actions. Some ways the characters are forced to conform are by peer pressure, as evident in the excerpt,. In this citation, conformity is shown through Gene’s decision of complying with what Finny orders, due to peer pressure of jump off the tree, therefore nearly injuring himself. Furthermore, he realizes it wasn’t his culpability of being in that position, due to if Finny wasn't there none of this would have occurred. Even more, this led to Gene feeling a desire to assert his individualism, due to he feels that Finny has surpassed him in every way, and cause his failure, such as in his academics. As well, Phineas
The theme “rite of passage” was used in the novel A Separate Peace, by John Knowles. This moving from innocence to adulthood was contained within three sets of interconnected symbols: summer and winter, the Devon and Naguamsett Rivers, and peace and war. These symbols served as a backdrop upon which the novel was developed. The loss if Gene Forrester’s innocence was examined through these motifs.
Identity is a prevalent theme in John Knowles novel, A Separate Peace. Each of the four main characters, Gene, Finny, Leper, and Brinker, questions their values and have their actions molded by their identities. As Shahram Hashmat wrote in "Basics of Identity", "Identity relates to our basic values that dictate the choices we make (e.g., relationships, career). These choices reflect who we are and what we value" (1). The identities of each character are influenced by their values and beliefs, but they can change based on their surroundings. Bob Edelstein wrote in "Authenticity and Identity", "... out authentic identity changes throughout our life in response to the impact of our life experiences" (1). All four of the main characters deal
Throughout time, famous authors have written even more famous books based on their own experiences. Nearly any book can be traced to an event in the author’s life. Whether they do it intentionally or not, these book are basically unofficial autobiographies. While they should not be taken as fact, a reader can come to understand the life of the author, and better understand their work. One famous author, C.S. Lewis, created a beautiful allegory in “The Chronicles of Narnia.” C.S. Lewis was a Christian and Aslan, the main character in the books, was a savior to the world. He modeled Aslan after Jesus Christ. Other famous authors using this technique include J.R.R. Tolkien and John Knowles with his book A Separate Peace.
a best friend like Finny is a compliment and should be looked at as an
A Separate Peace by John Knowles shows that Gene, Finny, and Leper set up Maginot Lines that are ineffective and eventually lead to their own destruction.
The main character in my book, A Separate Peace, is Gene Forrester. At the beginning of the book, Gene is an innocent boy, going along with everything his roommate, the outgoing and energetic Phineas, says. “What was I doing here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into doing stupid things like this?” (17) During this scene in the book, Gene is questioning his decision to jump out of a very tall tree, which he was convinced to climb by Phineas.
Change causes people to make important decisions. In A Separate Peace, John Knowles describes a one-sided jealousy that exists between two best friends. Gene is envious of Finny’s innate athletic ability and decides that he is his rival. One day, as they were jumping off a tree for fun, Gene jounced the tree limb causing Finny to fall. This action that Gene took shows how he lost his purity. Often times when people grow up and experience change they make important decisions, and as a result, they lose their innocence.
”Because most people identify as separate from other people, they have what we call some "concept" of themselves. Self-concept refers to how people “think about, evaluate, or perceive” themselves.” Self-concept can be split into categories that make people who they are. Throughout “The Outsiders”, Ponyboy the protagonist, describes his brother and his friends in relation to him, giving insight on what makes each of them who they are. After reading an article on this topic “Self-Concept “by Saul McLeod (1), and reading chapters 1-3 of the novel “The Outsiders” (2). One can see the major reasons that make people who they are: self-image and self-esteem/self-worth.
Although a friendship often implies many similarities, Gene and Finny also appear very different in many aspects of life. Their friendship gives the impression that at some times it was unstable, but overall it was bound to be everlasting. This companionship is a primary example of any real-life friendship of the common person. It is possible to portray many differences within a friendship, but still hold on to whatever is the quintessence of the cohesion between the parties involved.
Even the strongest people cry sometimes. John Knowles, the author of, A Separate Peace, writes about the life at Devon, an all boys sleep away school in New Hampshire. Gene Forrester befriends Phineas, and soon after the two establish the, “Suicide Society,” where each member must jump from the glorious tree into the river. Over time, Gene begins to envy Finny because of his physical capabilities, and in the end, Gene pushes Finny off the tree, and Phineas's leg shatters, limiting his physical capabilities. As the story proceeds, Gene must live with the guilt of Finny permanently disabled, knowing he had done it purposely, while Finny believes it was done accidentally. Finny soon returns to Devon, and slips on marble stairs, which ultimately results in his bone marrow seeping into the blood and to his heart killing him.
Throughout the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the author uses the motif of perception and reality to convey the theme that one’s preconceptions and denial can alter their perception of reality. For instance, Finny’s denial of Gene causing his injury, Finny’s denial of World War II, and Gene’s belief that Finny is secretly jealous of him all convey the idea of a denial-altered reality.
The enemy shall be thy one who is full of envy and imitation. John Knowles progressed a novel, A Separate Peace, with the focus around two young boys enrolled in a boarding school in the 1940’s. Gene is to be described as non-athletic, often wreck less, academically successful, and self-centered. A Separate Peace provides the integrity of how Gene’s envy and imitation of Phineas affects the relationship between himself, Phineas, how Gene found peace upon returning to Devon 15 years later.
Phineas (also known as Finny) never found his separate peace. A clear example of this is Phineas’ vulnerability especially to Gene. For example, Check out the scene on the beach, when Finny declares that Gene is his best pal. He makes himself vulnerable emotionally, and by not responding, Gene takes advantage of him and his emotions. “‘I hope you’re having a pretty good time here. I know I kind of dragged you away at the point of a gun, but after all you can’t come to the shore with just anybody and you can’t come by yourself, and at this teen-age period in life the proper person is your best pal.’ He hesitated and then added, ‘which is what you are,’ and there was silence on his dune. “ (Knowles, 48). Phineas’ character was also known as the class athlete. He was notorious to succeed in everything he took part in and even succeeded in whatever challenges lied between. “ ‘Well, how did I do?’ I looked at the
Phineas represents the peace that is lost as Gene grows more and more anxious, making it nearly impossible to get rid of the enemy inside of himself. Gene and Finny enter their summer with the idea that their friendship is flawless. At the beginning of the story, Gene seems to accept Finny’s superior athletic ability, but he hated the fact that he feels like Finny is flaunting his abilities. Finny saves Gene when he grabs Genes hand to keep him from falling when he loses his balance in the tree. Gene feels that he should not feel inclined to show gratitude toward Phineas, because he does not like feeling clumsier or lesser than Finny. Instead, he blames his misfortune in the tree on Phineas. Finny is also the leader of the duo in their friendship. The balance of the friendship is maintained when Phineas thinks of something to do, and Gene goes along with it.
Analysis: This quote is based on the theme of envy. It is clear that Gene feels that Phineas can get away with anything. The reader can tell that Gene hate him because of this.