Character Analysis - Cynthia Hsieh (:

Interview with Gene, Phineas and Leper

Interviewer – Gene, how do you think your character has changed from the previous section to this section?

Gene – My character is very different in this section, I used to be carefree and exciting mainly because of the absence of Phineas. As soon as chapter eight starts, you find that I’m instantly affected by Phineas’ return. I go back to my old self, always trying to please him.

Interviewer – Phineas, what kind of influence do you think you have on Gene?

Phineas – My presence is very strong and every time I’m around Gene, it seems as though he’s always trying to please me. This could possibly be from the guilt that he has from causing my accident. Its interesting to see how excited Gene was about enlisting and as soon as he sees my disappointment, he quickly changes his mind.

Interviewer – Leper, what do you think your impact has been on Gene in this section?

Leper – One of the most influential scenes in this section would be when I accused Gene of being selfish and hurting Phineas on purpose. Soon after I said those lines, the violent side of Gene came out, the more scary side of Gene was visible.

Interviewer – Gene, what do you think you valued most in this section of the book?

Gene – In the beginning of the book, I value my education and my marks. I strive to be the best in studies and that’s my main goal, but in this section there is a change in what I want and work towards. One of my values is to make Phineas proud; the guilt of possibly ruining his athletic career pushed me to be an athlete for 

Phineas. The value of becoming a better athlete, becoming so great that I can someday make it to the Olympic.

Interviewer – Phineas, what do you think you value most in this particular section?

Phineas – It would have to be, trying to be normal. I feel out of place enough that I have to be on crutches and can’t play other sports, so to seem more normal I help train Gene for the Olympics. In this section, I also find myself struggling to hold my jealousy, for example when Gene completed thirty chin ups, I was jealous of the fact that he’s replacing me.

Interviewer –Leper, What are some of your values in this section?

Leper – A main Value of mine would be serving my country and I do this by going to train to be part of the war.

Interviewer – What do you three find are some of your interests in this section?

Leper – definitely war, just the idea of enlisting and everything.

Gene – I would have to say choosing to believe or not believe Phineas about his views on the war.

Phineas – An interest in this section is definitely training Gene to be a netter athlete and also the winter carnival which I helped organize.

Basic biography.

Gene 

Gene is the narrator of the story and also happens to be one of the main characters. He goes to a school in Boston called Devon School, with his best friend Phineas. Gene is a studious student who aims to be the best in his class. During his summer at Devon he causes an accident that injures his friend Phineas, causing him to have a cast. As Phineas returns to Devon, Gene feels guilty of his actions and tries to please Phineas. Instead of being studious and all about academics, he starts working hard in sports hoping to fulfill his friends dream of going to the Olympics in 1944. “There’s no harm in taking aim, even if the target is a dream.”(Knowles, 117) Despite Gene hesitating, he agrees to go along with Phineas’ plan.

Phineas 

Phineas is Gene’s best friend and he is an athlete, who I charming and can talk his way out of trouble. This is something that Gene has always been jealous off. After his accident, he returns to Devon and is in need of Gene’s support more than ever. Upon hearing that Gene is thinking of enlisting in the war, he tries to put up a guard and pretends to be independent. When deep down, he truly wants for his best friend to stay. After Gene decides to stay, his goal is to get Gene to be the star of Devon. He starts by taking Gene to the gym and asking him to do chin-ups. Phineas is surprised to see Gene complete thirty chin-ups, this is where his jealousy begins. Instead he pushes it off to the side and starts training Gene for the Olympics. “Phineas I know had been even more startled to discover this bitterness in himself.” (Knowles, 117)

Leper

Leper is another student attending Devon.  While Phineas was away due to his injury, Leper became great friends with Gene. He confided in Gene, especially about his dreams to go to war. Soon enough, he enlisted himself and went off to war only to send Gene a letter a few weeks later explaining how he has run away from the army.  When talking to Gene, he gets defensive about the reasons why he ran away from the army and brings up a topic that really angers Gene. “You always were a savage underneath. I always knew that only I never admitted it, like the time you knocked Finny (Phineas)out of the tree.” (Knowles, 145) This shows a more confrontational and defensive side of Leper.

Character Analysis - Miguel DeJesus

             Gene is one of two main characters in the novel. Gene attends Devon school which is located in Boston and is entering his senior year. Gene is a very diligent, and very studious student. “Studying!” I snarled. “Studying!” “You know, books. Work. Examinations.” He is always studying and reviewing his notes constantly. Reason being is he wants to become the best student he can possibly be, and his goal is to be the valedictorian of his class. His motive is to maximize all of his talents and accomplish all that he can academically. All though gene is very tedious, he is competitive, with his friend, Finny. He is constantly comparing himself with his best friend, who he thinks is a better rounded person than he is. One particular part that he loves to compare with Finny is his athletic capabilities,   although he knows that Finny is a much more talented athlete. This competitive nature is a good thing to have between friends because you are pushing one another to be the best, but at times things may get a little too far.

            Sports, academics, and friendship are what interests Gene. Gene is a very well rounded person, but is too self conscious. He tends to worry about many things, and at times over react. At times his personality can be completely different than from his friend, Finny.  As well Gene over thinks many things. For instance, one night when he was studying, Finny asks him to go outside because Leper claims that he will jump off the tree. Finny was implying that he studies too hard and that he thinks that he needs to take a break once in a while. Unfortunately, Gene interpreted his message in the wrong way. The way the message was interpreted was that Finny was trying to sabotage his grades so that he won’t do as well at his academics. Therefore Finny might one day be able to reach Gene’s academic standards. Thus, resulting in Gene becoming desperate and frustrated with his best friends. With that being said, as Gene and Finny were jumping out of the tree, Gene pushed Finny off. Resulting in Finny falling and breaking his leg.

            The personality of Gene has altered a little bit because of this situation. Now he is feeling guilty and feeling paranoid. Unlike Finny, Gene is very emotional and is filled with regret of what he has done. This quote is from the scene where Gene is letting Finny know that he is the one who caused the fall. “Hit me! You can even get up! You can’t even come near me.” “You see! Kill me! Now you know what it is! I did it because I felt like that! Now you know yourself!”   Gene is constantly thinking about his best friend and his well being.  Meaning that he values their friendship, even though at times things may seem frustrating. He really looks up to Finny, but he is envious of his athletic talents. At times, Gene tends to jump to conclusions before really thinking things through, and is in denial for quite some time of what he did to Finny. From reading this novel, I can tell that Gene wants to do everything to the best of his abilities and make something out of his life, but he strongly questions his identity. “I spent as much time as I could alone in our room, trying to empty my mind of every thought, to forget where I was, even who I was.”

          The second main character in this novel is Phineas (Finny). Finny is the best friend of Gene, but their personalities are quite different. Finny is more care free, and relaxed about everything. He doesn’t really think things through, he just does it. As well he has a tendency to be able to get away with things, without getting into any trouble. Finny has a way with his words, and can be a bit ignorant at times, as well as sarcastic. “ Finny, I’ve got something to tell you. You’re going to hate it, but there’s something I’ve got to tell you.” “My God, what energy.” “You sound like General MacArthur.”  A quote showing his ignorance was “I didn’t know you needed to study.” “I didn’t think you ever did. I thought it just came to you.” His way of how he thinks may be questionable, but it always seems to make sense sooner or later. For instance he decides to break the rule of going to the beach, knowing that he would be breaking the rules, but did it for the sake of having fun. He too wants to live his life to the fullest, much like Gene, but in a different way.

            The things that Finny really focuses on and has much interest in is sports. Finny is very gifted athletically, and can do many things that many Devon students are not even capable of doing athletically wise. Sadly Finny has broken his leg and is quite upset about it because of the fact he will never be able to do the one thing that he loves the most, which is sports. Finny is stuck in the infirmary, and eventually goes home to recover for a few months and will be back once it is Thanks Giving. Although Gene is sad about his leg, he isn’t really as angered by it as I thought he would be. Finny is handling it in a positive manner, more so than his own best friend Gene, who doesn’t even have the broken leg. This speaks strongly about his character. It shows that he is a clam person, who handles himself in a positive way. Finny doesn’t really dwell or express his feelings so much of the fact that he won’t be able to play sports anymore. Finny is also very caring, and one thing that he strongly values is his friendship with Gene. A quote showing this would be, “I wanted to be sure you’d recovered. That’s why I called up.” For instance, when Gene told him, the truth of how he pushed him off, he refused to believe it and impose his will that there is another solution to it. All though Gene did do it, it shows how much trust and how well he thinks of Gene.

            Finny can be a very caring person, but at times he can be quite forceful and agitating to be around, For example, he clearly forced Gene to go out to have some fun and jump off the tree, knowing that Gene has a test to study for. Finny can be convincing as well, as he talks many people into doing things that they may not normally do on a regular basis. As well he can be quite aggressive, as he throws a fit at Gene for being the assistant senior crew manager, when he wants him to be playing the sport.  Finny says “Listen, pal, if I can‘t play sports, you‘re going to play them for me.”

             

            The third influential character of my part is Cliff Quakenbush. All though he isn’t a main character like Finny and Gene, he has made quite an impact on Gene. Cliff is not very sociable and friendly, but a selfish person. Many consider him to be a bully and treat others without respect. Not only is he considered a bully, but he is a built and strong person. His interest is canoeing and athletics, much like most boys at Devon. Cliff doesn’t like Gene because Gene took his spot as assistant senior crew manager, therefore leaving him without a job. One day after practice Cliff, decides to mock Gene and strongly agitate him by saying very irritable statements to him. “Go to hell Forrester. Who the hell are you anyways.” As well Cliff is very judgmental because those who take on the job of assistant senior crew manager usually have a disability. Students who attend Devon, have to participate in sports in some sort of way, and the assistant senior crew manager was usually occupied because it didn‘t demand much. Therefore he was observing Gene.

            Cliff is very ignorant and does not know what Gene has been going through, ever since his best friend broke his leg. Not only is he ignorant, but he is rude because he implies that Gene has a disability. “Listen you maimed son-of a-bitch…” This also shows that Cliff is aggressive because he and Gene get into a fight. They grapple with one another and try to hit each other with as much power as possible. As the fight ends, he once again says a rude remark to Gene.  “Get out of here, Forrester,” he said bitterly from the water, “you’re not wanted around here, Forrester. Get out of here.” Cliff is a fighter and wants to be one, because he has the desire to fight in the war one day to become a soldier. Even though Cliff and Gene just got into a fight, it has a lot of meaning and significance to it. Gene stood up for himself because he was not being treated properly and was being provoked, but in a sense he was also fighting for his friend, Phineas (Finny). Gene himself felt like he was Phineas’ defender because he is the one with the broken leg and Cliff had called him a maimed son-of a-bitch. Cliff has made Gene realize that he and Phineas are connected to one another not matter what, because friendship is not easily broken. 

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?

Leizel's Character Analysis

Welcome everyone! Today, I will be interviewing members of the esteemed Devon School. It is my pleasure to introduce Gene, Phineas and Mr. Prud’homme. Now to begin the interview, I’d like to ask, being that you are all a part of such a prestigious school, what are your goals?

Gene: “In that short lived and special country we spent this summer at Devon when Finny achieved certain feats as an athlete.” (Knowles, 37) His goal is to be the best athlete in the Devon School.

Phineas: (directed to Gene) “You want to be head of the class, valedictorian, so you can make a speech on Graduation Day—in Latin or something boring like that probably—and be the boy wonder of the school. I know you.” (Knowles, 46) As for Mr. Prud’homme, his goal as a teacher goes as far as that “He enforced such rules as he knew; missing dinner was one of them” (Knowles, 20)

With such goals in mind, what is your motivation?

Phineas: Well, Mr. Prud’homme, “He did not have the careless, almost British look of most of the Devon Masters, because he was a substitute for the summer.” (Knowles, 20) Overall, he being a supply teacher was quite lax in his conduct.

Mr. Prud’homme: As for Phineas, “He had won and been proud to win the Galbraith Football Trophy and the Contact Sport Award, and there were two or three other athletic prizes he was sure to get this year or next.” (Knowles, 46) Academics are Phineas’ weakness and so for him, excelling at sports is his salvation. Being good at sports and the potential to win awards is his motivation.

Gene: “If I was head of the class on Graduation Day and made a speech and won the Ne Plus Ultra Scholastic Achievement Citation, then we would both have come out on top, we would be even, that was all. We would be even....” (Knowles, 46) I don’t particularly like to bring it up, but pure competitiveness fuels me to reaching my goals.

Sometimes in such a grand school, I would think that you might begin to lose yourself amongst your large group of peers. My final question is: what are your values?

Gene: “Finny could shine with everyone, he attracted everyone he met. I was glad of that too. Naturally. He was my roommate, my best friend.” (Knowles, 36) I value my friendship with Phineas.

Mr.Prud’homme: “Finny’s life was ruled by inspiration and anarchy, and so he prized a set of rules. His own, not those imposed on him by other people, such as the faculty of the Devon School.” (Knowles, 31) So I suppose Phineas’ values consisted of freedom and having a good time.

Gene: “One day I found myself describing to Mr. Prud’homme how Phineas and I had slept on the beach, and he seemed to be quite interested in it, in all the details, so much so that he missed the point: that we had flatly broken a basic rule.” (Knowles, 49) Since he was a substitute teacher, he didn’t have a steadfast value in following the regulations of the Devon School. He too valued freedom and having a good time.

Thank you all for joining me today for this interview!

First Impression Journal - Jason de Castro

When I realized that the story takes place in New Hampshire, I was amused. Partly because-due to my

ignorance of world geography-I had no idea where New Hampshire was. The second thing I noticed

was the time period in which the story takes place in. The story is set in the year 1942, during the early

years of World War 2. Aside from the fact that the events described in the book do indeed seem to be of

an earlier time, the words and terminology that the author uses also suggest that the story does not

necessarily set itself in present time even if there is no pre-existing knowledge of the book. I found this

refreshing and interesting, seeing the world through the eyes of a person set in a time not so long

before our own. The main characters (Phineas and Gene) presented in the book are intriguing to say the

least, and more so is the relationship between them. The two main characters appear to be best friends.

However, from what has been read, it is clear that their relationship-like any-is not without flaw. There

seems to be something between them; something that pulls them together while at the same time tears

them apart. So far what it appears to be is an unspoken understanding or acknowledgement of a rivalry

as well as jealousy between the two. However, the story is told from the narrative voice of Gene, who

over analyzes everything. With that said, the reader's idea of Finny's entire being is dependent on

Gene's perception of him. For all I know, Gene could have misinterpreted all of Finny's motives up until

now and therefore be completely wrong about him. Coincidentally the personalities of the two best

friends are completely opposite in contrast. Gene appears to be introverted and quiet, excelling in areas

of academic relevance. In comparison, Phineas (a.k.a. Finny) is outgoing and charismatic who is naturally

gifted in sports and activities involving athleticism. Throughout the book, I have noticed companionship,

deceit, admiration, jealousy, and hate between the two main characters, Finny and Gene. What comes

out of this is the complicated relationship between the two friends, leaving the reader contemplating

the motives behind their actions and words. Overall the book started off very slow, but the significantly

large contrast between the supposedly best friends alone was enough to prevent me from putting the

book down. The writer talks very descriptively, and in such a way that occasionally a particular line or

speech must be read over several times in order to grasp it. Imagery is something that I am constantly

aware of while reading this novel, and I am curious as to how the relationship between the two of them

will develop, and also how the characters will develop individually.