Essay On A Separate Peace By John Knowles

“What was I doing up here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me?” (Knowles 9). The complicated bond of friendship between Gene and Phineas (Finny) is shown in the book, A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Although, Gene’s envy toward Finny, rattles them, and the reader of their strong relationship. By the end of the book Gene learns many things. He gains awareness, changes his perceptions toward the war and his life as an adult.
The narrator and the protagonist of the book, Gene Forrester, is a quiet and smart 16 year old boy. The book starts off when Gene goes back to Devon school, visiting to one of his two fearful sites. The tree and the marble stairs. After visiting these sites, Gene flashes back to the summer of 1942. Starts by Gene, standing in front of the tree with Finny, Leper, Chet Douglass and Bobby Zane.
Finny and Gene formed a club, Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session where they jump off the tree. At this point, Gene’s envy toward Finny develops a lot more, “I couldn’t help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal. There was no harm in envying your best friend a little.” (Knowles, 18) Finny suggests that the

The connection of friendship but also at the same time, the forgiveness with Gene and Finny. Also, the values and consequences of the World War 2 as a teenager. Another messages are the fear, fights and jealousy. These problems that can occur when you’re a teenager. These deep messages and problems that can occur in your daily life or around you, makes the reader think or rethink.
A Separate Peace definitely analysis the awakenings or changes in consciousness. Gene absorbed many things by his experience. He gained awareness and his perceptions toward war and his life as an adult. Many problems may occur in life but these experiences leads you to gain awareness or change your