A Separate Peace Blog Questions
Assignment #1(9-20):
1.) The novel opens up with present day Gene (1958ish) narrating his return to Devon 15 years after he graduates (til the middle of page 14). Why does John Knowles begin the novel this way? What is the purpose? What is the effect?
2.) Gene is narrating his own story of what happened when he was in high school. How do a. his perspective (1st person narration) and b. the retrospective (looking back and telling a story as if it were the present) influence you as a reader and how does it impact the credibility or integrity of the story being told?
3.) Gene visits two specific places upon his return: the First Academy Building and the tree. Name and explain two specific things he notices/realizes about these places/things now (as opposed to then) and why Knowles might have done this.
Assignment #2 (21-40 break):
1.) Once the story shifts to the summer of 1942, Gene begins his narrative about his summer, the war, the school, his friendships and most specifically his relationship with Finny. Provide three specific examples of characterization about Finny, most specifically what kind of person is he and how do you know this.
2.) Explore Finny’s influence on other students – provide two specific examples and explore what they reveal about him and the other students involved.
3.) What is the significance of the encounter with the Patch—Withers’? What do we learn about Finny, Gene and the faculty?
4.) Re-read Gene’s recognition of his use of sarcasm in the middle of page 29. In what ways has young Gene revealed himself to be weak and then to use sarcasm to mask this weakness?
5.) Re-read the opening paragraph of chapter 3. Explore and explain the quote “Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me” (33). Explain what Gene is saying and why he is saying it at this point. What are the larger implications of what he is saying?
6.) How does the invention of and the playing of Blitzball impact/influence the relationship between Finny and Gene? Be sure to provide two specific examples.
7.) Define the literary term symbol. Explain the symbolism of Blitzball or summer session.
8.) How would you characterize Gene at this point (the end of the reading)? Provide two specific examples from the story to support you answer.
Assignment #3 (40-60):
1.) Gene launches into a long narrative about war and its presence in his life at that time, and he acknowledges that his understanding of it was directly related to his age and how others perceived him because they foresaw his future in the draft. What is the difference between your understanding of the American wars going on today (and how it impacts you) compared to what Gene relates to us about his experience in this passage. Choose a specific sentence or image to focus on to help ground your exploration.
2.) What is the significance of the incident at the swimming pool? What does the reveal about Finny and Gene and what does it add to our understanding of their relationship?
3.) What is the significance of the trip to the beach? What does the reveal about Finny and Gene and what does it add to our understanding of their relationship?
4.) Re-read the last paragraph on page 48 (end of chapter 3). What happens here? Why is important? Why doesn’t Gene respond? What do you think holds him back? What is the “truth” he refers to at the very end of the quote?
5.) On pages 52-54, how does Gene’s view of their relationship change? (Be sure to explain his usage of enmity). What does he think of it? How do you know this? Why does he feel this way? Do you think it is accurate? Why or why not?
6.) Find two examples of Gene’s resentment building up (pages 55-59) that contributed to what happened in the tree. Be sure to explain the what, how and why of your examples.
7.) What exactly happened in the tree and who do you think was responsible? Why do you say this?
8.) Why does Gene’s “fear” disappear at the end of the chapter? What was the fear? How is it connected to what happened in the tree?
Assignment #4 (61-71 & poem):
1.) What is the symbolism of the fact that Finny’s leg was “shattered”? Why do you say this?
2.) While Finny is in the infirmary, Gene is paranoid that people will be suspicious of him, and then he dresses in Finny’s clothes and feels better. Why does Gene do this? Why is this significant?
3.) When Stanhope tells Gene about Finny, he cries. Why does he do this? What does this reveal about him? Explore the passage in the middle of page 64 to inform your answer.
4.) Briefly explain Gene’s visit to the infirmary. How does Finny act? Why? Does this feel “realistic”? How does Gene’s visit impact Finny?
5.) What is symbolic in that fact that the summer session is coming to an end – look specifically at the passage on page 67?
6.) What is guilt? Do we all have it? Is it part of being human? Can someone live guilt free?
7.) Why did Gene go to Finny’s house? How did it impact Finny? Did Gene try to do the right thing? Why or why not? What would you have done?
Assignment #5 (72-85):
1.) Explore the significance of the fight with Quackenbush. Why does it happen? What exactly sets Gene off? How is related to his narrative earlier in the chapter? Why might Quakenbush be so disdainful of Gene?
2.) Why does Quackenbush use the word “maimed”? Explore the significance and connotation.
3.) Explore the significance/symbolism of the Devon River (you may have to refer to earlier readings to supplement your answer).
4.) Re-read the last sentence of chapter 6 (p84-85). Explain what is happening in the quote (establish context) and then explore and explain the last part “I lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first: to become part of Phineas” (85).
Assignment #6 (86-102):
1.) Explore the significance/symbolism of the Nagaumsett. (You may have to refer to earlier readings to supplement your answer).
2.) In the first part of the reading, Brinker presses Gene about what Finny and what happened. Explore and explain the significance of their conversation BEFORE the Butt Room. Be sure to explore the significance of the syntax of “But the truth will out” (88).
3.) Explore and explain the significance of the scene in the Butt Room.
4.) Part of this reading focuses on Leper. How is he characterized? What do we learn about him? Provide some specific details from the reading to support your answer.
5.) How does Gene feel about war and enlisting in this reading (look closely at pages 100-102)?
Assignment #7 (103 - 122):
1.) Explore the dynamics and undertones of Finny and Gene’s first conversations upon his return. Does it feel “realistic” to you? Why or why not?
2.) What does the conversation about enlisting reveal about Finny and Gene’s relationship (p107-108)? Provide at least two specific examples.
3.) How does Finny feel about the war? How do you know this? Why does he act this way? Does it feel consistent with his character? (see 108-116)
4.) How do you feel about the wars this country is presently fighting? Will you enlist when you are able? How do you feel about those who do?
5.) What do Gene’s observations about the changes in Finny reveal about Finny? About Gene? (109-114)
6.) What is the significance of Gene and Finny’s training? How is related to their conversations about war? What does it reveal about their relationship?
Assignment #8 (123-137):
1) Explore Brinker’s change and development shown in this reading. Find two specific examples from this reading of how they have changed. Also, explore why that might be and show how you know this.
2) Leper is the first of the boys to enlist. Based on the conversations and narration in the previous few chapters, what about this is ironic?
3) Why does Finny organize the Winter Carnival? Why is this significant? What is the impact and symbolism of the Winter Carnival?
4) Re-read the last paragraph on the bottom of 136 and on to 137. Paraphrase what Gene is saying and interpret the usage of “separate peace.” What is a “separate peace”? Why is included here?
5) What is the significance
6) The “separate peace” moment is shattered by the arrival of the telegram from Leper. Explore the significance of the timing of the telegram and the content. From was has Leper “escaped”?
Assignment #9 (138-151)
1.) Gene spends the first part of the chapter traveling to Leper’s house. Choose two or three phrases of description about the landscape (location, weather, temperature) and explore how Knowles is using them. Why does he include these details here and why at this time? What does it reveal about Gene at this time?
2.) Explore the difference between what ‘escape’ means to Gene as opposed to what it means to Leper (see usage in context on the middle of page 143).
3.) What causes Gene to attack Leper? The answer needs to involve a literal and figurative exploration of what occurs here (middle 145).
4.) Since Leper is “section 8” (“for nuts in the service”), explore the irony of Leper’s statement “always were a savage underneath.” Take into consideration that Leper contacted Gene. Why is this important?
5.) BONUS: Why might the mention of Brinker trigger Leper’s violent reaction? Think about what you know about role so far and his interest in the incident.
Assignment #10 (152-177):
1) At the top of page 155, the snowball fight culminates with everyone turning on Finny. Why does this happen here and why now? How does this moment foreshadow events later in the chapter?
2) Discuss the irony of the dialogue between Finny and Gene on the second half of page 155.
3) Discuss Leper’s return and its impact on Gene and Finny before Brinker’s trial. What does Leper represent now that he is back at Devon and what conversation does his return trigger between Finny and Gene? (see pages 163-164).
4) Name two important events of rising action that Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall. If you choose the trial, choose a specific incident to discuss and how it leads to the fall.
5) Why does Finny react the way he does? What is really going on with him?
6) Explore Brinker’s role in the trial and his motivation. Why does he does he orchestrate the trial?
Assignment #11 (178-194) – Read “To An Athlete Dying Young”
1) Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?
2) Does Finny's death surprise you? Why or why not? Does it seem like a logical climax for the novel? Is it the climax?
3) Explain what Gene means when he says, "Phineas, you wouldn't be any good in the war, even if nothing had happened to your leg." Do you think this is true? Why?
4) If Finny had survived his operation, do you think Gene and Finny could remain friends? Or do you think the friendship at this point is too broken? Make sure to include support from the text in your answer.
5) Explain the significance of the last paragraph: "I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when I stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston. I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case."
Assignment #12 (195-204)
1) At this point in the novel, the main action has wrapped up now that Finny is dead and the boys are graduating, but now the war has quite literally invaded the insular peace on the campus. Summarize and explore the significance of the transformation of the campus (description occur throughout the chapter, so provide at least two examples in your answer).
2) Explore the implications and subtleties of the conversation with Mr. Hadley. What does he say about “manhood” (see what he says about the G.I.’s) and how does he feel about Brinker and Gene’s involvement in the war effort? (198-200)
3) On 201, Gene reflects on his thoughts on war and says “…it seemed clear that wars were not made by generations and their special stupidities, but that wars were made instead by something ignorant in the human heart” (201). Considering the conflicts we are involved in today, do you agree with this sentiment? Why or why not?
4) Gene reflects on Phineas’ impact on his life at the bottom of page 202 and top of page 203. In this passage, what do you think Gene means when he says “Phineas alone had escaped this” (202)? What did he escape? And did he do so by dying or by the way he lived his life? (see also page 204)
5) What does Gene mean when he says “I never killed anybody and I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war end before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there” (204). Who/what is his enemy? Why does he contradict himself there? What was his war?
