A Separate Peace
Confidants in A Separate Peace
People often change due to life's unpredictable roller coaster; two of the main characters in A Separate Peace experience this. Gene and Finny are thrown random events that can change their simple and fun adolescent life around. As you're growing older, not only does your physical appearance alter, but also your state of mind matures into the next phase of adulthood. This is caused by different influences, such as your environment, your own driving force, and most of all your friends. At an age of Finny's and Gene's the only people we see frequently are our classmates, thus they inspire us the most. These two best friends develop their knowledge of the big outside world mutually together and learn from each other.
Gene is a studious and introverted young man. He usually reflects back at every situation and the students around him. Whatever he wishes to do, the steps have to be carefully planned instead of just living by the minute. Sometimes he reads too much into something that he lets his mind get tainted with what he assumes, when really the truth is not what he believes. Gene gets ahead of himself when he should really let loose and enjoy his young years with his buddies. For example, Gene thinks that Finny is trying to keep him from his Valedictorian Award. He adds everything up and concludes that Finny creates clubs and plans beach trips to keep Gene from getting to his schoolwork success. Nevertheless, when this is brought up to Finny, he is surprised at such a ridiculous excuse and urges him to go study vigorously. These instances suggest that Gene has a concealed envy buried inside him. But throughout the story, as Gene discovers that every negative obsession he has about Finny and their friendship, is purposely created by himself, he starts realizing that it is really him that is jealous of Finny. Gene finally notices that his best friend is especially loyal and fond. However, when...
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