"Everyone contributed to this legend except Phineas." [...] Finny has said, "If someone gave Leper a loaded gun and put it at Hitler's temple, h'ed miss." (Knowles 127)
Finny assumes a very hostile position when others are given Gene’s attention. Earlier in the novel Finny tells Gene that he is his best friend. Throughout the novel Finny has maintained this even though Gene risked Finny’s life. Finny feels connected to Gene like a brother. Finny ushered Gene away from the butt room and showed little appreciation to Leper when others were honoring him. Finny has grown accustom to being number one in Gene’s life. They are usually training for the Olympics or tutoring Finny. The butt room crowd disrupts this cycle and Finny acts out of character.
Question: How will Finny react to Leper addressing Gene as his best friend on the letter?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Separate Peace chaper 8
“This moment was past. Phineas I know had been even more startled than I to discover this bitterness in himself.” (Knowles 117)
Ever since Finny has returned to Devon he has demonstrated a substantial alteration in his conduct, and has brought about a new theme in the novel, change. This verbal lash toward Gene was not something that Finny had done prior to his injury. Finny seems to have also developed an appreciation for academics as well. This is best exhibited on page 119 when Gene claims that he was occupied with dividing his time between tutoring Finny and being coached by him for the Olympics. Also, there is a new (and perhaps less trivial) issue between Gene and Finny. Now that rivalry has been dismissed, (Gene no longer sees Finny as mere competition) Gene and Finny’s views on the war differ tremendously as clash with one another at times. Finny also disclaims the war’s existence. This could be perceived as Finny trying to discourage Gene from joining the service with Brinker.
Question: Will Finny’s new attitude be one that Gene would enjoy befriending?
Ever since Finny has returned to Devon he has demonstrated a substantial alteration in his conduct, and has brought about a new theme in the novel, change. This verbal lash toward Gene was not something that Finny had done prior to his injury. Finny seems to have also developed an appreciation for academics as well. This is best exhibited on page 119 when Gene claims that he was occupied with dividing his time between tutoring Finny and being coached by him for the Olympics. Also, there is a new (and perhaps less trivial) issue between Gene and Finny. Now that rivalry has been dismissed, (Gene no longer sees Finny as mere competition) Gene and Finny’s views on the war differ tremendously as clash with one another at times. Finny also disclaims the war’s existence. This could be perceived as Finny trying to discourage Gene from joining the service with Brinker.
Question: Will Finny’s new attitude be one that Gene would enjoy befriending?
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Separate Peace chaper 7
"[...]I was used to finding something deadly in things that attracted me; there was always something deadly lurking in anything I wanted, anything I loved." (Knowles 101)
This quote states much about Gene’s past actions and dynamic personality. An excellent example of this is Gene’s academic rivalry with his classmates (particularly Chet Douglas). This attracted him because he wished to be the best student who made a speech. He strived to be an overall better person than his friend Finny. This was damaging (perhaps not deadly) to his social life, especially to his relationship with Finny and his mental health, which was clearly compromised. When Gene put so much emphasis and time into his studies he allowed himself to be completely consumed by it, so much so that he perceived any request from a friend to do something recreational or enjoyable as a threat or offense to his academic progress.
Question: Will Gene change for the better and change his insecure attitude toward Finny now that he has returned?
This quote states much about Gene’s past actions and dynamic personality. An excellent example of this is Gene’s academic rivalry with his classmates (particularly Chet Douglas). This attracted him because he wished to be the best student who made a speech. He strived to be an overall better person than his friend Finny. This was damaging (perhaps not deadly) to his social life, especially to his relationship with Finny and his mental health, which was clearly compromised. When Gene put so much emphasis and time into his studies he allowed himself to be completely consumed by it, so much so that he perceived any request from a friend to do something recreational or enjoyable as a threat or offense to his academic progress.
Question: Will Gene change for the better and change his insecure attitude toward Finny now that he has returned?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Separate peace chapter 6
"Im too busy for sports." (john knowles 84) [...] Liten pal, if I can't play sports, you're going to play them for me," (85)
Gene feels that sports are cynical and they have let down Finny. Finny claimed in his “commandments” that nothing bad can ever come of sports. Finny’s entire existence revolved around sports and he was good at them. When Finny fell and broke his leg all of that was taken away from him; taken away by Gene who pushed shook him to his fall. Due to this Gene has developed a fear of sports. Finny tells Gene that he must play sports in his absence. Gene cedes to Finny’s will because of his guilt.
Question: Will gene sports? If so, will he become a great athlete that Finny once was?
Gene feels that sports are cynical and they have let down Finny. Finny claimed in his “commandments” that nothing bad can ever come of sports. Finny’s entire existence revolved around sports and he was good at them. When Finny fell and broke his leg all of that was taken away from him; taken away by Gene who pushed shook him to his fall. Due to this Gene has developed a fear of sports. Finny tells Gene that he must play sports in his absence. Gene cedes to Finny’s will because of his guilt.
Question: Will gene sports? If so, will he become a great athlete that Finny once was?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Separate Peace chaper 5
"Sports are finished."(John Knowles 63)
This new from Doctor Stanpole devastates Gene. He had finally realized that Finny never harbored ill will for him during any point of Gene’s single sided rivalry. Gene admits to being the reason that Finny had fell and is beginning to realize the extent of damage caused by his self righteousness. Finny lived for sports, he was great at them and this had all been taken away by Gene. Gene has helped break one of Finny’s commandments; that nothing bad can come of sports. Sports can bring grief for one who loves them and knows he cannot play them. Gene recognizes that he is responsible for his actions and tries to shield himself from reality. Will Finny and Gene's friendship remain unchanged?
This new from Doctor Stanpole devastates Gene. He had finally realized that Finny never harbored ill will for him during any point of Gene’s single sided rivalry. Gene admits to being the reason that Finny had fell and is beginning to realize the extent of damage caused by his self righteousness. Finny lived for sports, he was great at them and this had all been taken away by Gene. Gene has helped break one of Finny’s commandments; that nothing bad can come of sports. Sports can bring grief for one who loves them and knows he cannot play them. Gene recognizes that he is responsible for his actions and tries to shield himself from reality. Will Finny and Gene's friendship remain unchanged?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Separate Peace chaper 4
"I didn't know you need to study," [...] "I didn't think you ever did. I though it just came to you." (John Knowles 58)
Finny’s question established that he was never envious of Gene. Gene assumed that because Finny excelled in athletics that he wished to devastate Gene’s academics; in order to increase his own value. This spurred Gene along in his studies, helped himself become very studious, and drove him to academic excellence. When Finny suggested that Gene should abandon studying French and watch Leper leap from the tree into the water; this infuriated Gene who was diligently working. At this instance Gene grasped reality. He realized that Finny was so nonchalant in his work ethic. He did not pose a grave threat to Gene. His lethargic approach to “studying” (for French) consisted of him passing asinine, half French notes to Gene who was consumed by his studies. This was nothing like Gene. Gene felt that Finny was so inferior to him that there was never a rivalry or enmity. Gene claims that he and Gene were “not of the same quality.” (59)
Question: Will Finny decease in the infirmary?
Finny’s question established that he was never envious of Gene. Gene assumed that because Finny excelled in athletics that he wished to devastate Gene’s academics; in order to increase his own value. This spurred Gene along in his studies, helped himself become very studious, and drove him to academic excellence. When Finny suggested that Gene should abandon studying French and watch Leper leap from the tree into the water; this infuriated Gene who was diligently working. At this instance Gene grasped reality. He realized that Finny was so nonchalant in his work ethic. He did not pose a grave threat to Gene. His lethargic approach to “studying” (for French) consisted of him passing asinine, half French notes to Gene who was consumed by his studies. This was nothing like Gene. Gene felt that Finny was so inferior to him that there was never a rivalry or enmity. Gene claims that he and Gene were “not of the same quality.” (59)
Question: Will Finny decease in the infirmary?
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Separate Peace chaper 3
"My God! So I really did it. you know what? i thought i was goign to do it. (John Knowles 43)
Finny’s athletic ability surprises Gene and himself as he shatters the school swimming record. A. Hopkins Parker was the last member of the Devon school to set the record. He graduated before Finny and Gene has arrived at Devon. Finny was outraged that no one had surpassed this record since then. He and Gene located a stopwatch which was used to determine if Finny could overcome Hopkins’ standard. Finny rose to the challenge and defeated Hopkins’ record by .7 seconds. This surprised finny and left Gene to be in a state of, what he refers to as shock on page forty-five. Finny was not a swimmer and he had broken the school swimming record without any prior practice.
Question: Will Finny and Gene be punished for leaving the school campus?
Finny’s athletic ability surprises Gene and himself as he shatters the school swimming record. A. Hopkins Parker was the last member of the Devon school to set the record. He graduated before Finny and Gene has arrived at Devon. Finny was outraged that no one had surpassed this record since then. He and Gene located a stopwatch which was used to determine if Finny could overcome Hopkins’ standard. Finny rose to the challenge and defeated Hopkins’ record by .7 seconds. This surprised finny and left Gene to be in a state of, what he refers to as shock on page forty-five. Finny was not a swimmer and he had broken the school swimming record without any prior practice.
Question: Will Finny and Gene be punished for leaving the school campus?
A Separate peace chaper 2
"Im glad I put on something for a belt! I would certainly would hate the embarrassment of having my pants fall down at the Headmaster's tea." (John knowles 28)
This quote vividly demonstrates Finny’s knack for avoiding punishment others would likely face. Finny attended a tea party among other Devon students and headmasters. Finny began a heated conversion about the war in central Europe by stating, “I think we ought to bomb the daylights out of them, as long as we don’t hit any women or children or old people, don’t you?(26)
This sparked a disagreement with Mr. Patch-Withers (the Headmaster) who claimed there was no precious art in central Europe; and his wife (Mrs. Patch-Withers). She claimed bombing was far too dangerous because of the potential destruction of schools, churches, and hospitals. Finny, who was enjoying this dispute decided to remove his jacket to provide himself with additional comfort. In doing so, he showed that he had neglected to wear a belt and was in fact, wearing a neck-tie around his waist. Finny claimed it was a peculiar tribute to the school and continued to claim it was merely a jest. Not only did he successfully shield himself from probable punitive measures, he also succeeded in making Mrs. Patch Withers laugh.
Question: Will Finny's people skills ever fail and leave him in a state of turmoil?
This quote vividly demonstrates Finny’s knack for avoiding punishment others would likely face. Finny attended a tea party among other Devon students and headmasters. Finny began a heated conversion about the war in central Europe by stating, “I think we ought to bomb the daylights out of them, as long as we don’t hit any women or children or old people, don’t you?(26)
This sparked a disagreement with Mr. Patch-Withers (the Headmaster) who claimed there was no precious art in central Europe; and his wife (Mrs. Patch-Withers). She claimed bombing was far too dangerous because of the potential destruction of schools, churches, and hospitals. Finny, who was enjoying this dispute decided to remove his jacket to provide himself with additional comfort. In doing so, he showed that he had neglected to wear a belt and was in fact, wearing a neck-tie around his waist. Finny claimed it was a peculiar tribute to the school and continued to claim it was merely a jest. Not only did he successfully shield himself from probable punitive measures, he also succeeded in making Mrs. Patch Withers laugh.
Question: Will Finny's people skills ever fail and leave him in a state of turmoil?
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