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?
There are many different types of conflict present in the school, such as the conflict of holding on the boys childhood. Despite being surrounded by the war, during the summer session the boys are all about having fun through their little activity of jumping off the tree. Gene and Finny know that enrolling into the war is in their future and at some point it is visible but they just brush it off and get back to their fun and games. Also the conflict of whether or not the friendship between Finny and Gene is real; this is especially seen in the summer session as Gene starts to doubt Finny’s actions. He believes that Finny is trying to take his place and become the best in both sports and academics. The rivalry presence is in the air due to the war going on and therefore resulting in double guessing the boys friendship.
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?
As the plot progresses, the readers see the weather change. Summer brings the essence of fun and relaxing times which is portrayed in the boy’s fun and games. As the summer begins to end, a tragic “accident” occurs which brings a harsh halt to the summer fun, leading right into winter where the more difficult and more serious content of the book happens. One could say the author is using the seasons as an indicator of what a certain section is going to be like. Winter usually gives the feeling of cold, painful and much more serious than summer, this could be why the second injury and death of Finny happens during the winter time.
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