Finny all along had an athletic goal of performing in the ’44 Olympics but that goal was shattered along with his leg when he fell off the tree, PG 117 “And now I’m not sure… in shape by 1944.So I’m going to coach you for them instead.” At first when I read this I thought it was a joke, so did Gene but Finny didn’t. So that shows that Finny actually believes the Olympics were a possibility. Then on PG 120 Gene somehow shown that he had athletic qualities with that six in the morning run, and it also mentions Finny was determined to achieve this goal. Finny wants to get to the Olympics through Gene by coaching him.
So if Gene and Finny are changing, Gene into the athlete and Finny into the coach the friendship would change. But with the war going on that dream will be very hard or impossible to achieve. But with this goal setting the bar very hard for Gene the relationship will change; Gene will become the athlete when it is usually Finny.
Do you think Gene will be able to achieve this lofty goal of the ’44 Olympics under the coaching of Finny?
Will this hurt, tighten, or change the their friendship?
How do you think the war will effect this goal will it destroy, help, or make it more difficult?
In the back of their minds, I don't think Gene or Finny actually think the Olympics is a real possibility. Training Gene is another way for Finny to avoid and keep his mind from thinking about the outer conflict. For Gene, training with Finny is just his way to repay Finny and continue to be as close as possible to his best friend. In a way, they are both escaping. I think it is a way to tighten their friendship. I think later in the book when the goal of the Olympics is shattered like Finny's leg, the reality of the war will set in and effect their relationship in a bad way.
ReplyDelete