Song Analysis Of John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

Song Analysis - “A Separate Peace”

The musical composition Guardian by Alanis Morissette connects with the character Finny, from John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace because the lyrics represent Finny, and his relationship with Gene after, the “accident” in which Gene purposely pushes Finny out of the tree leading to major injuries, which then affects his sports career.

In Guardian Alanis Morissette sings,“You, you who has smiled when you're in pain.” (Line 1). This lyric means that the narrator, or the person who cas gotten hurt maintains good cheer in the face of adversity. This lyric refers to Finny, and his faculty to perceive the positive in situations, where as others would regard what happened to Finny, as the worst possible thing

Through, A Separate Peace Finny was pushed to his breaking point, which occurs when Gene visits Finny after he falls down the marble staircase. Finny was pushed so far that he turned confused and unsure about what actually transpired in the event of his “accident”. In chapter 11 Finny shows his mystification by verbally expressing, “No, I don’t think so. Or was there? Maybe there was somebody climbing up the rungs of the trunk. I kind of forget.” (Knowles, 169). As proven in this quote, it is quite evident that Finny is perplexed about what genuinely transpired, and it is additionally evident that Finny is delusional. Despite the evidence and proof that was given, Finny is reluctant to believe that Gene was capable of doing something as horrible as trying to make sure Finny got

This lyric means that a person had made a promise to the narrator and then broke it, when Morissette verbally expresses “as solid as a fog” it signifies that the promise was so impotent that it was almost like it never subsisted. This lyric refers to how Gene is always telling lies to Finny. In chapter 5 Finny states “You aren’t going to start living by the rules are you?” (Knowles, 71). It is evident that when Finny asks Gene if he is going to start living by the rules that Gene is lying when he verbalizes “Oh no, I wouldn’t do that.” (Knowles, 71). It is because Genes promise to not start living by the rules, that Finny fits to the lyric “Their promises as solid as a fog.” (Line