A Separate Peace Essay, Research Paper
Difference Too Often Leads to Hate
Many times in the world, differences have lead to hate. Think of Martin Luther King, for example, who stood for fighting against one of the largest differences. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, is one of many examples of differences leading to hate. Gene and Finny, who somehow managed to become friends, have completely different views of each other. Finny wanted to be friends with Gene, but had trouble facing the reality that Gene felt differently. Gene became jealous over Finny?s difference to himself. Difference has led to hate, once more, and pain has again resulted, first mentally and emotionally, then finally physically.
Knowles creates Gene as one who always is strictly trying to comply with the rules and regulations, always obeying his superiors; completely different then that of Finny?s personality. "Over your head? Pink! It makes you look like a fairy!" (909). Considering such, he envies Finny, because Finny can ?get away with murder? if he wanted to, and can stay out of trouble doing so. "Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn?t help envying him?a little" (909). Knowles shows how much jealousy Gene had over Finny? s ability to stay out of trouble, no matter what he did. "This time he wasn?t going to get away with it." (909). He would rather be in accordance to the rules and be on his best behavior, than to be a rebel who goes against everything. Finny, on the other hand was more of a rebel. "I wonder what would happen if I looked like a fairy to everyone." (909). Finny, more of a rebel, is very outgoing; he, however shows himself off as a perfect individual. One day at Devon, he gets into small dispute because he wore the school tie as a belt. This he frees himself from quickly, explaining, "It goes with the shirt and it all ties together?with what we?ve been talking about, this bombing in Central Europe." (910). Complying with not only Devon?s rules and regulations, but also the standards of formal conduct, Gene has a strong instinct to follow order, guided by careful thought, which Knowles has implanted in him, throughout the text.
Gene is a person who thinks before he acts. "What was I doing up here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this?" (906). He is an individualist with distinct and well-thought characteristics. "As we walked rapidly along I abruptly resented the bell and my West Point stride and hurrying and conforming." (907). Furthermore, Gene is at this point still friends with Finny, and tries to think of a clever way to appease him. "I threw my hip against his, catching him by surprise, and he was instantly down, definitely pleased." (907). When Phineas proposes the idea of jumping off a tall tree into the river, Gene hesitates to follow. "The tree was tremendous?I was darned if I?d climb it?No one but Phineas could think up such a crazy idea?He saw nothing intimidating about it?He wouldn?t admit it if he had. Not Phineas." (904,905). Finny, on the other hand, acts before he thinks; for example, in that same place in the story where Gene thinks about jumping the tree, Finny gets a sudden urge to jump from the tree, and so he does. Although Gene may think his actions clearly, he does not like to express his emotions directly.
In another scene of the story, Knowles has Finny say that Gene and he are best friends, as an example, and Gene has trouble expressing his true emotions on the matter. "I should have told him then that he was my best friend also and rounded off what he had said. I started to; I nearly did. But something held me back." (918). Gene is a person who is dissatisfied with his life and wants to set up an ideal person. "Anyway?somebody?s got to be the head of the class." (920). Finny on the other hand is athletic, satisfied with himself, and moves with perfect coordination. "I thought I was going to do it. It felt as though I had a stop watch in my head and I could hear myself going just a bit faster than A. Hopkins Parker." (917). Finny does things that no one ever thinks to do, such as coming up with “Blitz Ball." (913-914). He made up the rules as he went along. He likes to be in complete control of everything. He likes to be the best that he can. He likes being in difficult situations to see if he can get out of it, showing his ability to express himself. Finny, one day wears his school tie as a belt, but he easily solves of this problem by explaining that he did it to show the link between Devon and the war. (909-910). Finny, a natural person who shows himself to being incapable of doing something mean or ugly, has no trouble expressing his emotions openly. He responds to life with natural emotions and everything comes easy to him (except studying). He does not have emotions such as envy for people or jealousy. Gene, on the other hand, is jealous of Finny?s abilities. To appease his jealousy, Gene pushes Finny out of the tree, which eventually winds up in Finny?s death.
Difference has led to hate, once more, and pain, both emotionally and physically has again resulted, first mentally and emotionally, then finally physically; however, this time it is no longer just pain, but death that has resulted. The differences of Gene and Finny are vast, and their combination has lead Finny?s death, because they could not work out their problems with each other. If not only Gene, but also all of humankind would work out his or her differences, so many saved lives can result, and much of the extreme hate will cool down, and be under control.
Work Cited
1. Knowles, John. A Separate Peace. Elements of Literature: Fourth Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehert, 1993. 901-982.
Другие работы по теме:
Separate Peace Discussion Essay Essay Research Paper
A Separate Peace Discussion Essay In the novel A Separate Peace the friendship of Finny and Gene is very similar to that of any organization. First it should be made known that most organizations are a way of fitting in with people of similar interests, views, or goals. Most organization, no matter how democratic, will always have some kind of leader over the rest.
Finny The Great Essay Research Paper Throughout
Finny The Great Essay, Research Paper Throughout the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles, there were two dominant characters. Gene who is the narrator and Finny who is Gene’s best friend have a
World Peace Essay Research Paper World peace
World Peace Essay, Research Paper World peace to me is like an eight billion-piece puzzle. It’s as if you can only do so much by yourself until you need a helping hand. Just like a puzzle, the world can look perfect for an amount of time until someone decides to destroy its beauty. We all wish that the puzzle would never come apart but in time everything dose.
A Separate Peace Theme Essay Research Paper
John Knowles, in A Separate Peace, illustrates a young man?s internal struggle to understand adulthood and its realities. This struggle emphasizes a continuos jealous rage inside Gene, which in turn causes him to cripple and kill his ?best? friend. The theme of jealousy is woven carefully throughout the novel in Gene and Finny?s relationship.
Why American Troops Are Being Sent Overseas
Essay, Research Paper American troops are being sent overseas to maintain peace in a nation involved in a civil war. Whether the peace troops should or should not be sent overseas, they are being sent overseas.
A Separate Peace Essay Research Paper What
A Separate Peace Essay, Research Paper What point of view does each character show in regards to their attitude to the war?The war is a symbol of how things are not always what they seem. Recruiting posters and propaganda to join the army convinced many boys into thinking the war is an exciting adventure. ?The characters Gene, Finny, and Leper are used as opposing forces struggle between that cold reality of war and a separate peace?(Brian, Gatten), A peace away from the real war and all the terrible things that come.
King Hussein Essay Research Paper Jeffery SheuINTRODUCTIONHi
King Hussein Essay, Research Paper Jeffery Sheu INTRODUCTION Hi, my name is Jeff, my topic is about Jordan and the peace talks, or in other words about King Hussein dying, the fights with Palestinians. I personally chose this theme because it really interests me. I could have done Y2K, the space station, or even the President, but those did not interest me so if I did do it I wouldn t have gotten a good grade.
War Is Peace Essay Research Paper WAR
War Is Peace Essay, Research Paper WAR IS PEACE leads people to believe that war is a good thing when in reality it is only good for the government that they should believe this. Ironically, it is almost true, at lest in 1984. Because the states are at war, they are locked in perpetual deadlock. The war never endangers any of the state’s important land and it prevents the equal distribution of goods by consuming them.
Seperate Peace Essay Research Paper There is
Seperate Peace Essay, Research Paper There is always a desire for adventure in a teenager s life. Whether it’s climbing on top of an abandon building or flying down the road at 100 mph, there is always going to be a need for an adrenaline rush that has to be both gratifying and even troublesome. In the case of A Separate Peace, that adventure is in the form of a tree.
Wilson And Wwi Essay Research Paper War
Wilson And Wwi Essay, Research Paper War does not always have the simple goal of killing as many of the enemy as you can. The motives behind war are often complex and not always vicious attempts to gain power. Often times a nation must enter a war to secure peace in the future. This was the case when Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.
Thomas Hobbes Paper Essay Research Paper Thomas
Thomas Hobbes Paper Essay, Research Paper Thomas Hobbes Paper – What is the difference betweenobligations in foro interno and in foro externo, and when do wehave such obligations? According to Thomas Hobbes, there are certain laws of nature whichexist in the absence of an organized government. These laws are extremelycut throat, and place people in extremely dangerous situations where theirlives are in danger.
Racism Black Issues Essay Research Paper Legal
Racism: Black Issues Essay, Research Paper Legal Environment of Business “Separate but Equal” summary It is hard in this time and age to be able to imagine a world of segregation of a people or a color, but that it happened in the time of our fathers is more amazing. There were many factors that lent themselves to the Supreme Court case involving segregation.
Eminem Essay Research Paper With the difference
Eminem Essay, Research Paper With the difference between the majority and minority parities being so narrow the pork-barrel legislation will have a major impact on the next section of Congress. Pork barrel is local laws that are passed to help out your local areas.
Lennie From Of Mice
& Phinney Of A Seper Essay, Research Paper Lennie & Finny Finny, from A Separate Peace, and Lennie, from Of Mice and Men, was basically the center of their novels. Everything that went on revolved around them. From the very beginning,
Iroquois Essay Research Paper The Iroquois
Iroquois Essay, Research Paper The Iroquois The Iroquois is a tribe of the Eastern Woodland indians. The Iroquois is one tribe that is seperated into five groups. These groups are called , Seneca ,
Race In The Context Of Reading And
Writing Essay, Research Paper Race In the Context of Reading and Writing Hurston is saying in effect, I am colored but I am different from other members of my race in that I am not different from my race ( Race, Reading, and Difference 319).
The Patriotic Canadian Essay Research Paper For
The Patriotic Canadian Essay, Research Paper For over 130 years, Canada still keeps its word. Our Fathers of Canadian Confederation expressed their firm commitment when they signed the British North Amerian Act 139 years ago. Peace, Order and Good Government. For as long as I can remember, Canada has promoted peace any way possible.
A Seperate Peace Essay Research Paper Peace
A Seperate Peace Essay, Research Paper Peace only comes at the price of great struggle and sacrifice for most people. In essence, it only comes when you have defeated the enemy, or the enemy has defeated you. John Knowles was able to capture the subtle goal and essence of his novel by titling it A Separate Peace.
Mitosis And Meiosis Essay Research Paper Mitosis
Mitosis And Meiosis Essay, Research Paper Mitosis and Meiosis : how they are similar and different Mitosis and Meiosis are alike in many ways essentially they are both forms of cellular reproduction. Both go through similar cellular division stages. Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis all occur in both Mitosis and Meiosis.
Hindu Vs Chirstian Essay Research Paper Joe
Hindu Vs Chirstian Essay, Research Paper Joe Cooper Peace Studies Professor Smith 31 October 2000 Hindu and Christian Approaches to War and Peace As international views on peace differ, so do opinions of different religions. Every culture has its own view on peace and how to attain it. Religious ties in most cases determine these values and laws.
Windows 30 Essay Research Paper Windows 30
Windows 3.0 Essay, Research Paper Windows 3.0 With window’s 3.0, you can unleash the power of your 286 or 386 computer’s protected mode. Unlike earlier releases that made you purchase separate versions
Part Iv Essay Research Paper Part IVFranklin
Part Iv Essay, Research Paper Part IV Franklin D. Roosevelt once said we have nothing to fear but fear itself . In my mind this means that fear is an emotion that is unnecessary because the only thing to be afraid of is being afraid. Oftentimes people are afraid when there was nothing to really be afraid of. Two examples of this would be paranoia and jealousy.
A Separate Peace
– A Journey To Maturity Essay, Research Paper The novel A Separate Peace includes many important themes. The author, John Knowles, was able to make the book more realistic because of his personal experiences. Knowles, like the characters in the book attended a boarding school. Many of his dilemmas were similar to those of Gene and Finny.
United Nations Essay Research Paper Part I
United Nations Essay, Research Paper Part I. #3 51 countries established the United Nations also known as the UN on October 24, 1945 with the intentions of preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Over the years the UN has grown in numbers to include 185 countries, thus making the organization and its family of agencies the largest in an effort to promote world stability.
A Separate Peace Contrasting Gene And Phineas
And The Struggle For Power Essay, Research Paper A Separate Peace: Contrasting Gene and Phineas and the Struggle for Power Julie Gibson John Knowles’ A Separate Peace depicts many examples of how power is
A Seperate Peace Essay Research Paper A
A Seperate Peace Essay, Research Paper A Separate Peace A Separate Peace written by John Knowles tells the story of two friends in their quest through school, war, friendships, and death. As the story moves on, so does Gene’s and Finny’s friendship. It goes through many changes as the characters themselves change.
Seperate Peace Search For Peace Essay
, Research Paper Searching for peace can be a challenge when every thing around you has something to do with war. Growing up can be difficult as well but through the tough times people become more knowledgeable. In A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, Finny, Gene, and Leper each struggle find peace and escape reality without having to face the truths to their lives.
A Separate Peace 2
A Separate Peace – Inflouence Of War Essay, Research Paper World War II influenced the boys in A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, by making them grow and mature more quickly than they would have had there not been a war. The war made some boys stronger and readier for whatever life would bring, while in others it disabled them to the point that they could not handle simple tasks.
A Separate Peace Essay Research Paper Breaking
A Separate Peace Essay, Research Paper Breaking The Mold In John Knowle’s, A Separate Peace, there is a transformation in all the key elements in the book, from the rivers to the tree to the seasons to the characters. The transformation is
Essay On Separate Peace Essay Research Paper
ESSAY ON “A SEPARATE PEACE” John Knowle’s A Separate Peace is novel that focuses in on characters and their reaction to the world around them. Since the book was written in the forties the reader knows that the backdrop is WWII. The author uses the backdrop of war to show how young boys develop bonds of friendship.
Power Of Words Essay Research Paper We
Power Of Words Essay, Research Paper We use words every single day of our lives. It’s the easiest way for humans to communicate. Without words, we would be left with only grunts, and gestures. This demonstrates how important, and powerful, words are.