At the tree, Gene does something he doesn’t really understand: during what was supposed to be a double-jump from the tree, Gene jostles the limb while Finny is moving out toward the river. Gene’s mistake eats away at him, and he can’t believe how wrong he has been about Finny.

Gene soon realizes that he is wrong when Finny explains that he thought Gene’s smarts came naturally to him, much like athletics come naturally to Finny. This thought begins to warp Gene’s perspective of Finny, and causes him to make assumptions about Finny’s character that are unfounded. He wonders if Finny is in a competition with Gene, athletically and academically. Finny is constantly distracting Gene from his studies by coming up with new and exciting activities to do instead, and Gene begins to wonder if this is on purpose. Finny thinks of Gene as his best pal, but Gene, slightly jealous of Finny and ever-suspicious of others’ intentions, doesn’t understand how genuine Finny’s affection for him is. Finny goes first, and Gene, feeling pressured, follows suit.įinny is brutally honest, has no use for rules or regulations he views as a waste of time, and he is naturally graceful and athletic. Finny, Gene, a boy named Elwin “Leper” Lepellier, and others are at the tree to jump. It turns out that the tree once had rungs in it that allowed the boys to climb the tree, walk out onto a branch, and jump into the river. The novel flashes back to 15 years ago, during a special Summer Session instituted to fast-track the boys into World War II. He has come to visit two specific sites: the marble stairs in the First Academy Building, and the tree that juts out over the Devon River. The novel begins with Gene Forrester visiting his high school, the Devon School, in a small town in New Hampshire 15 years after his graduation. What kinds of characteristics does competition bring out in people?.Is war a necessary evil? Is it inevitable?.What are the different kinds of defenses people set up for themselves against being hurt, or against their own insecurities?.

When can refusing to conform be a good thing?.How can jealousy ruin a person, and their relationships with others?.What are the characteristics of a good friend? A bad friend?.What are some internal wars people face?.How can jumping to conclusions about someone lead to serious consequences?.Essential Questions for A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A separate peace by john knowles