A Separate PeaceBackground and Context

The Setting: Exeter, New Hampshire

Founded in 1638

Reverend John Wheelwright negotiated with local tribesman to build the town.

The Setting: Phillips Exeter Academy

Founded in 1781 by Dr. John Phillips (Harvard Grad!) Intent: to pair GOODNESS and KNOWLEDGE; to foster a

population that would serve positively serve society Utilizes the Harkness Plan (designed by Edward Harkness)

A learning strategy focusing on small classes seated in a circle engaging in academic discussion

Phillips Exeter Map Faculty Housing, Student Dormitories, Academic

Buildings, Sports Facilities

The Setting:Phillips Exeter Academy cont.

Tuition 1783 1849 1963 Today

(1855 first permanent dorm rent=

$1/year)

None $14/year Over $2000($900 for day

students)

$47,790($36,800 for

day students)This includes all fees

and services.

Prominent Sport at PEARowing Crew

The Setting:Phillips Exeter Academy cont.

Until 1968 the entire faculty was made up of men.

War and PEA April 1861 - First students leave to fight Civil War 154 PEA graduates lost their lives in World War II

Put it into perspective: 1000 students attend today

October 1969 – PEA silent march in protest of Vietnam War

The Setting:Phillips Exeter Academy cont.

Notable Graduates:

Dan

Mark Zuckerberg (creator of Facebook)

Dan Brown (author of Da Vinci Code)

John Irving (author of The Cider House Rules; The World According to Garp)

John Knowles (author of ???)

The Setting:World War II

1 2 3 4

The Setting:World War II and Exeter

The Setting: World War II

View the following video and respond to question #17.

Attention Young Men

Themes:

What is a theme?“main idea” in a piece of literature“a truth about life or a truth about human

personality”Gives a deeper meaning and understanding

of literature

Themes in A Separate Peace:Coming of Age

Focuses on transition from childhood to adulthood

Sometimes reached through difficult, sometimes tragic events

May be reached by process of growing up and recognizing world/people are not as expected

Themes in A Separate Peace:Man’s Inhumanity Against Man

Implies that humans are capable of cruelty to another May be overt (obvious, evident) May be covert (hidden, secret)

Themes in A Separate Peace:Guilt

Focuses on character’s moral sense of right and wrong

A result of going against moral senseParticularly in regards to relationships with

others Discovery of guilt and taking responsibility for

one’s actions is often integral to “coming of age”