Plot Summary

Set at a boys' boarding school in New England during the early years of World War II, A Separate Peace is a harrowing and luminous parable of the dark side of adolescence. Gene is a lonely, introverted intellectual. Phineas is a handsome, taunting, daredevil athlete. What happens between the two friends one summer, like the war itself, banishes the innocence of these boys and their world.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Critical Thinking Questions - Jason de Castro

What is Gene's perspective on human nature? How does this affect his relationship with Finny before the incident?

How does the "incident" change Gene's perspective of the nature of the relationship between himself and Finny? 

When comparing Gene's one-sided envy dominating his relationship with Finny prior to the fall, in contrast to the codependency between them after the fall, which is the more dangerous of the two? (That is, what is most damaging or unhealthy in regards to relationships) and why?

Although the story takes place in a desolate school seemingly far away from the influence of war, different types of conflict do exist. What are the different kinds of conflicts or struggles  taking place? and between whom?

Why does someone like Finny stand out especially at a place like Devon? Why is identity so recognized there?

What is it about Finny that Gene so greatly admires about him? How does his admiration of Finny affect himself? and in what ways?

Between the sharp contrast of the easygoing atmosphere of the "Summer Session" to the rather disciplined, strict atmosphere of the "Winter Session", what is the author trying to symbolize?

What is the turning point in which it was clear there was no going back that divided the Summer Session and the Winter Session? and why?

Why is it that Finny continues to support his theory of the war being a conspiracy? Why does Gene allow 
himself to be taken up in Finny's illusion of peace?

While authors that choose World War 2 as the setting of a story usually write about the war itself or how the war affected someone directly, John Knowles sets A Separate Peace in this time frame but barely shows any direct or relevant connection between the characters and the war. What is he trying to accomplish by doing so?

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