The most memorable moment of the first section is when Phineas fell from the tree. Based upon the circumstance and context in which he fell makes that moment unforgettable and imperative to the plot. First off, this particular tree was no ordinary tree, as it is a symbol of the camaraderie between Phineas and Gene. The start to their friendship began when they would secretly meet up at this tree, and jump out of it and into the river, thus resulting in a newly formed club called: “The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session”. Gene was more reluctant of the two when it came to participating in the jumping out of the tree ritual, which in time resulted in the development of animosity towards the effervescent Phineas. It is this contempt that made the incident of Phineas falling from the tree to be not accidental as Gene was the perpetrator. This event occurred when Gene and Phineas decided to, for the first time, jump out of the tree together, and in a moment of possibilities and weakness, Gene made him fall.
This event is memorable in that it reveals a large part of Gene’s character that would otherwise be hidden. To think such sinister thoughts and to actually act on them are two completely different things. For Gene to have consciously hurt Phineas resulted in my changed perspective of him given that I once believed him to be predominantly confused and innocent whereas at the present, based on his choices, Gene has become cynical and vindictive. It is consequently his ability to be these two qualities that made that moment especially memorable. It is also a defining moment because from that point on, their relationship would change. It seems impossible for Gene to be able to carry on with this friendship without a constant sense of guilt and it is also impossible for Phineas, who will subconsciously be thinking that Gene deliberately made him fall, break his leg, and end his athletic pursuits, to continue such friendship. This is the most memorable moment in that it is a major turning point in the story.
Jason's Blog Comment:
ReplyDeleteI agree that Gene's malicious act of pushing Finny out of the tree was the most memorable moment of section one by far. As Leizel stated already, it is the most dramatic turning point in the story, as well as the climax. These events not only develop the plot into something very different and unexpected, but reveals character traits of both Phineas and Gene. Phineas did not react confrontational, accuse or even inquire whether or not Gene was at fault in his incident even when he had suspicions. We do see however, a darker side of Gene, the part that acted upon his envy and took advantage of a moment of vulnerability of his best friend. Finny's casualty was the first and only as a result of Gene's internal conflict, but the damage was monumental. I concur that their relationship was damaged beyond pair at that point. The relationship may be endurable but never will the relationship between the two of them be the same ever again, to believe otherwise is denial. I believe that the turning point that this event creates, is more specifically the loss of innocence of the two boys. It precedes suppressed hostilities and tension between Gene and Finny, and the playful, boyish atmosphere of the "Summer Session" prior to the incident is long since departed. What replaces this is the "Winter Session" in which the atmosphere is almost the polar opposite. The atmosphere no longer consists of the youthful innocence that once embodied it, but rather the burdens of adulthood. This was very well written in my opinion, and Leizel made a great use of vocabulary.