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Gene's Jealousy In John Knowles A Separate Peace

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Emerson states that “envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide” (370). In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, New England. Gene is a follower. He would like to be in a bad situation just to be in one, He is jealous of Finny and insecure to the point where it drives him crazy. A Separate Peace shows how Gene’s envy and imitation of Finny affect him, affect his relationship with Finny, and his lack of peace.

Gene’s envy and imitation of Finny affect him. Gene is mostly affected emotionally rather than affected physically, “I looked for and finally found his pink shirt.. It’s high, somewhat stiff collar against my neck, the wide cuffs touching my wrists” (Knowles 62). That piece of evidence explains how emotionally he was affected by guilt and he is continued by wearing his clothes. Gene’s envy and imitation of Finny affects him by him ending up losing his real best friend. “... this enemy who never attacked that way- if he ever attacked at all; if he was indeed the enemy (Knowles 204). Gene’s jealousy was so bad that the life of his best friend came to an end. After he was injured multiple times. Gene’s …show more content…

When Gene admits to making Finny fall off the tree and shatter his leg it causes conflict. “”Of course you didn’t do it. You damn fool. Sit down, you damn fool.” “Of course I did!”” (Knowles 70).Gene’s jealousy got the best of him and he made Finny fall out of a tree and injure himself and it made them get into an argument. Gene being so jealous messed up a great relationship. Finny was never in competition but Gene was. “Phineas’ imaginary worlds create peace separate from the world at war, and he invites others, especially Gene into this peaceful sphere” (Alton). This piece of evidence explains how Gene’s envy got in control of him and that Finny never thought of their friendship as a competition. Gene’s envy and imitation of Finny lastly affected Gene’s lack of

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