Genes Struggle to Reach Inner Peace essays

Gene's Struggle to Reach Inner Peace essays John Knowless novel, A Separate Peace, relates to the struggle of male adolescents growing up during the difficult times of World War II. Set at Devon Academy, a private Eastern preparatory school, the story focuses mainly on the relationship between Gene Forrester and his friend, Phineas, who attempt to isolate themselves from the war by creating a sheltered world at Devon during the summer and winter terms of 1942 and 1943. Events at Devon force Gene to grow up and to come to terms with the negative forces in him. The title alludes to both the peace from the anguish of war and personal peace, a lack of personal hatred or enmity. Knowles reveals that personal peace can be attained when an individual resolves internal conflicts and hatreds and therefore is protected from forces that destroy personal peace and the peace of the world. The novels title conveys this theme by focusing on Genes struggle to achieve a separate peace. In the beginning, Gene faces his jealousy towards Finny in an attempt to find inner peace. The first time Gene shows jealousy is when Finny wears his school tie as a belt around his waist and doesnt get in trouble for it. When one of Finnys teachers stopped him, he gave him a long speech, and in the end didnt get in trouble. In Genes eyes, Finny always finds a way to talk his way out of trouble. Another time Gene shows jealousy is when Finny and him are at the beach. When theyre walking along the boardwalk, Gene notices that people are looking at Finny. I noticed that people were looking fixedly at him, so I took a look myself to see why (918). A third time Finny sees the record for 100 Yards Free Style with A. Hopkins Parker 1940 53.0 seconds under it, he says that it is an insult to the class because it hasnt been broken. Finny, being loyal to his class, decides that he can beat Parkers time. Sure...