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A Separate Peace Character Analysis Essay

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The Character Development of Gene Forrester In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene Forrester experiences much personal growth. He starts off the book jealous and suspicious of his best friend Phineas, and by the end he has grown into a more mature adult, who thinks more rationally. He overcomes his insecurities and addresses his impulsive nature. This is all accomplished through Phineas’ injury and death. Gene fights this internal war and defeats his own demons before ever going overseas to be a part of World War II. In the first chapters of A Separate Peace, Phineas displays his abilities to talk his way out of trouble. About this Gene says, “It was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn’t help envying him …show more content…
When Finny comes back, he decides to prepare Gene for the 1944 Olympics (Knowles 108). This is the beginning of the revival of their friendship. At the end of the book, Finny finally accepts what Gene has done to him, and chooses to forgive Gene. Phineas says, “Something just seized you. It wasn’t anything you really felt against me, it wasn’t some kind of hate you’ve felt all along. It wasn’t anything personal.” (Knowles 182). When Gene asks how he can show Phineas that what he said was true, Finny replies, “I believe you. It’s okay because I understand and I believe you. You’ve already shown me and I believe you.” (Knowles 182). These are the last words Finny says to Gene, and they are the words that finally give Gene peace. It is the last step of rekindling their friendship. With Finny’s death goes Gene’s enemy, his internal struggle. When Gene is in the military, he says “…my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was in active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there.” (Knowles 193). Gene is finally at peace, and has grown as a person because of the adversity he has

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