Gene is beginning to realize that what Finny tells him isn't always safe or practical. Then again, he thinks that Finny is a good friend to him, because after all, he did end up catching him. The fact that Finny caught Gene symbolizes their bond, and that Finny often get's both himself and Gene out of serious trouble. Take for example when they missed dinner. Finny had convinced Mr. Prud'homme to not get them in trouble. Then on the other hand, Gene is beginning to realize that Finny is always the one to get him in trouble, and that all of the dangerous and stupid things that Finny convinces him to do could lead to consequences. Finny always seems to get him out of trouble, though, so Gene continues to listen to him.
There is also a slight amount of anger towards Finny in the statement: "I shouldn't feel any tremendous rush of gratitude towards Phineas," on page 33. He is angry due to the danger Finny has put him in. After all this time being friends with Finny, Gene is finally starting to realize that Finny may not be a very good influence, and that his actions are dangerous. Looking back at Finny's past actions, would you be so quick to follow him into his dangerous antics?
I would not immediately rush to join Finny in some dangerous stunt but I don't think Finny's actions are so life threatening, I think when the narrator was saying how if he fell what could have happened he was looking at all the MAJOR possibilities not the minor ones like: getting a bruise or falling into the water. Besides that though Finny doesn't aim for these stunts to be life threatening it seems that he is trying to show courage and bravery, but also Finny would be there to back up or would try to save a friend if they were in trouble. I would not probably follow Finny instantly, but he would be trustworthy.
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