Character Analysis Of Gene Forester In A Separate Peace By John Knowles

Gene Forester, the main protagonist, and narrator of the book has tendencies and character traits that without deeper exploration and analysis could be deduced that he is indeed a psychopath. In the story, Gene at first seems to be a quiet and smart student who schools at a school in New Hampshire called Devon school. He, however, appears to have his insecurities as the story progresses and even suffers from self-consciousness. Gene is also very uncertain of himself, and in a way, he suffers from an identity crisis. Jealousy is a standout trait of Gene that is evident in the story. Gene who is now in his early thirties visits Devon after a long time away and hence begins the story (Knowles). As the narrator, Gene recalls the summer of their pre-senior year as high school seniors in 1942 when he became close friends with Finny. Finny is a character in the story which is seen to be a gifted young man filled with immense talent in sports, he even at one point ends up breaking the school’s record in swimming the first time he tries it out, this showing his great athletic prowess. He is a charismatic boy and somewhat daredevil who convinces Gene to make a bad jump into a river from a tree. This becomes their ritual, and the two even start a secret society that is based on

He apologizes profusely and explains to Finny that his actions didn't arise from hatred but a somewhat form of jealousy and envy. Finny feels his friend meant his apology and decided to forgive him, causing reconciliation between the two friends. Gene's ability to apologize and be sincere and genuine about it shows that the only character flaws that Gene had were jealousy (Bloom, Harold). This instance when Gene finally takes responsibility for his actions seems to show a different side of Gene, making the fact that he might be a psychopath very