A Separate Peace
By John Knowles
“Quick jump!”, said Phineas as Gene plummeted to his possible demise in the river. The novel itself is a piece of historical fiction that begins as a reflection, Gene the main character returns to his former high school, Devon Academy in New Hampshire. While there, he describes how he felt fearful, and how the war even though took place he felt no string to it. As a form of a flashback the reader is immersed in Gene’s world in 1942. In my opinion this book would be highly recommended to teens and young adults because it is a story of coming of age. Style and by the way the book is written, reminds me of a similar American classic, Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, where the main character discovers himself and develops into an adult by all the experiences he undergoes.
Competition is a common theme regarding the way Gene views Phineas. Reason being is that Phineas, an outgoing and athletic character, seems to always find a way to make situations go they way he wants them to. For example the Academy hosted a brunch, and the attire was formal. Phineas met up with Gene at the brunch, and at first glance Gene noticed Phineas was missing a belt, so in place for the missing belt he had his school tie wrapped around his waist. Gene, embarrassed for Phineas told him he was going to get yelled out. But clever Phineas, when approached by his teacher created an elaborate story about how his tie related to the war. Gene always felt threatened by the way Phineas held himself. According to the novel the narrator points out their differences, “You and Phineas are even already. You are even in enmity” (53). Enmity is “ the state of feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something”. In reference to the definition, their relationship as friends is in enmity only by the view of Gene. Phineas on the other hand reveals he feels the complete opposite, where he feels they are not in competition. In my opinion they both are in denial for possibly liking each other more than just friends.
During the final moment for the book takes a turn for the worst, Phineas tells Gene he felt a certain feeling towards him. This indescribable feeling could possibly represent his love for Gene. They both live in the same dorm and basically go out all the time together. There are not many moments as far as I have read when they are apart. Gene and Phineas seldom speak of anyone they might be interested in.
As mentioned earlier there is a major negative turning point, that helps Gene realize reality. His reality check is that he took Phineas for granted, all along he believed he was competitor, but the horrific event altered his idea of their relationship. According to the novel as Phineas is at his parents house in Boston, Gene jokingly remarks, “ You aren’t going to start living by the rules, are you? I grinned at him. Oh no, I wouldn’t do that” (71). After soon realizing his best friend Phineas is in a tough predicament, he begins blaming himself for what had happened. He begins to look differently at his friend, it’s almost as if he looks at life in a new light. Mood and tone really support this idea of realization because, Gene has all of these new emotions that before he never knew existed.
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