During the visit when Gene came Finny acted happy. He was making jokes and was in a better mood then Gene was. Finny even says to Gene "You look worse than I do" (page 64). Gene was surprised that Finny could act in such a good mood after his leg had just been shattered. I think Finny acted this way because Finny doesn't know that Gene was the one who jounced the limb on purpose. Finny thought how could he be in a bad mood with Gene here because he never did anything to hurt me. It was just me. I was the one to fall.
I do not think that this is realistic because instead of Gene feeling guilty Finny is the one feeling guilty. Finny says "I'm sorry about the feeling I had" (page 66). As I was reading this I could not believe that Finny was feeling guilty about a thought that he had that was correct. I think the visit Gene made to Finny impacted Finny in a negative way. I think this because it put more guilt on Finny for something he didn't even do.
Why do you think Finny never actually told Gene what the feeling he had was about? Do you think that Finny will try to do something to get back at Gene for what he did? As the rest of the book goes on do you think guilt will impact Genes decisions? Do you think Finny will ever accept the truth that Gene was the one who hurt him?
Gene and Finny both feel guilty about the incident in the tree for different reasons. Finny knows deep down that it was Gene's fault that he fell from the tree but he does not want to accuse him because even thinking this about his best friend makes him feel awful. Gene is full of guilt and fear; he cannot believe what he has done to his friend and he does not want to be caught. When Gene is asked to visit Finny, he believes Finny will accuse him of shaking the lim. Gene thinks Dr. Stanpole "...might denounce me there before the whole school (Pg 63)." Gene's first concern is about himself. He then learns Finny will never be able to participate in sports again. This makes Gene cry: "...I cried for Phineas and for myself (Pg 64)." Gene then states "...I cried because of kindness, which i had not expected (Pg 64)." Gene cannot imagine he would care so much about another person. Do you think their friendship will continue or is it "shattered" like Finny's leg? Do you think Finny will ever believe that it was Gene who caused this tragedy?
ReplyDeleteFinny never told Gene the feeling he had about how he fell off the tree because he didn't want to accuse Gene of doing something that neither he or Gene new really happened. They both thought that Gene jounced the limb purposefully, but then take it back after that thought. "Had I really and definitely and knowingly done it to him after all?" p.70. Gene may or may not have jounced the limb, therefore Gene shouldn't feel guilty of something that he doesn't no if he did or did not do. Even though Gene should not be feeling guilty the guilt will grow inside him until it starts affecting his way of life and relationship with Finny.
ReplyDeleteFinny and Gene do feel guilty for different reasons. Gene feels guilty because he knows that he purposely jounced the limb to make Finny fall. Finny has a feeling that Gene did this, but doesn't want to accuse him of something he thought he would never do. Knowing the goodhearted, honest character that is Finny, I think that it is realistic for him to feel guilty about even thinking that Gene, his best friend, would do that to him. I think that Finny will eventually believe that Gene jounced the limb purposely, after his initial disbelief that his best friend would do something like that to him. Because of Finny's feeling that Gene had done something he will eventually be able to believe Gene. Do you think that if Finny does believe that Gene made him fall, he will forgive him?
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I agree with you that it was unrealistic Finny would say sorry, when his assumption was correct. However, Finny did not know Gene actually jounced the limb, he thought Gene was innocent. When Finny realizes Gene caused the fall, he will not try to get revenge, because deep down Finny is a good person. Matt, to answer your question, I do believe Finny will forgive him, because of his and Gene's strong friendship. When do you think Finny will finally believe Gene?
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