A Separate Peace

A detailed Summary of A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace is a novel that toys with readers' emotions. It can make sadness appear from nowhere and happiness right after. It is a wonderfully constructed novel that makes readers feel like they have traveled to that time and place with the characters.

A major factor of this power is the author's style of expression. The author chose to write about two high school students that are almost complete opposites. One student, Gene, revolves around academic studies and intelligence; the other, Phineas, is a born athlete. The story takes place at the time of the Second World War in a unique high school with a paradise-like surrounding.

The author also uses a lot of contradiction and symbolism. The school is described almost like Eden with its enormous playing fields, healthy green turf, gently flowing river, and calling birds. This peaceful environment is a sharp contrast to the w

The great tree that dangles over the river is also important and symbolic throughout the novel. It presents Gene with the opportunity to become more like Finny. He is assured by Finny's encouragements and leaps from the branch into the Devon River below. It also causes the creation of the Super Suicide Society, formed by Finny to celebrate the freedom and disregard of authority. Most importantly this tree allows Gene to achieve his desire for superiority and he cripples Finny.

There are a few messages that readers can interpret from the author. The one that I think is the most appropriate is based on Gene's realization. Driven by guilt, Gene finally realizes that he is his own enemy and accepts that a person cannot measure oneself by the abilities of another person. He accepts that he can only be himself.

The tree also, indirectly, leads to Gene's self-evaluation and acceptance of who he is and hi

Some common words found in the essay are:
Gene Finny, Separate Peace, World War, Naguamsett River, Suicide Society, Finny Finny, Gene Throughout, Devon River, finny tree, world war, devon river, symbolism novel, separate peace, throughout novel, school gene,

Approximate Word count = 614
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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A Separate Peace

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