A SEPARATEA SEPARATEPEACEPEACE

By:By:

John KnowlesJohn Knowles

John KnowlesJohn Knowles ““All of my books All of my books

are based on are based on places, places I places, places I know very well and know very well and feel very deeply feel very deeply about. I begin with about. I begin with that place and then that place and then the characters and the characters and the plot emerge the plot emerge from it.” A Separate from it.” A Separate Peace began with a Peace began with a playing field at playing field at Exeter Academy.Exeter Academy.

John KnowlesJohn Knowles What do we know about the author?What do we know about the author?

This story is somewhat biographical.This story is somewhat biographical. Born in 1926Born in 1926 Knowles went to a prep school – Knowles went to a prep school –

ExeterExeter Unlike Gene, he had a very Unlike Gene, he had a very

positive experience at schoolpositive experience at school

Information on KnowlesInformation on Knowles

Entered Phillips Entered Phillips Academy when Academy when he was 15 yrs. he was 15 yrs. old and was there old and was there during the four during the four years of WWII years of WWII ( 1941-45); the ( 1941-45); the period included in period included in the novelthe novel

Seal and translationSeal and translation

Non sibi (“Not for Non sibi (“Not for oneself.”)oneself.”)

Finis origine Finis origine pendet (“the end pendet (“the end depends upon depends upon the beginning.”)the beginning.”)

Xapiti oeot (“By Xapiti oeot (“By the grace of the grace of god.”)god.”)

Phillips Exeter Academy Phillips Exeter Academy Private boarding school; Private boarding school;

co-ed 9-12co-ed 9-12 1068 total; 858 boarding; 1068 total; 858 boarding;

203 day203 day 203 Faculty; average 203 Faculty; average

class size: 12class size: 12 Located on 619 acresLocated on 619 acres Harkness table: oval table Harkness table: oval table

in each classroom with in each classroom with teacher and students teacher and students engaging in educationengaging in education

Located in Exeter, New Located in Exeter, New HampshireHampshire

A young man trying A young man trying to find out about his to find out about his world and himself. In world and himself. In times of peace it is times of peace it is hard enough to hard enough to change from change from adolescence to adolescence to maturity, but in war maturity, but in war time, the conflict time, the conflict may be greater may be greater because the values because the values of the world and of the world and society are changing.society are changing.

PLOT

Types of NarratorsTypes of Narrators First Person NarratorFirst Person Narrator

Uses “I” or “We”.Uses “I” or “We”. Views action/events of the story from their own Views action/events of the story from their own

perspective.perspective. First person observerFirst person observer

Tells story form the sidelines.Tells story form the sidelines. First person participantFirst person participant

Tells story while involved in the action/events.Tells story while involved in the action/events. Gene Forrester is a First Person ParticipantGene Forrester is a First Person Participant

One theme is the affect of time and events on One theme is the affect of time and events on memorymemory

Is Gene always reliable in his recounts of the events?Is Gene always reliable in his recounts of the events? Story telling technique:Story telling technique:

Flashback, we start in 1958 and reflect back to 1942.Flashback, we start in 1958 and reflect back to 1942.

SettingSetting

New England Prep SchoolNew England Prep School Devon in New HampshireDevon in New Hampshire

Gene Forrester is from the southGene Forrester is from the south Never says exactly where he is fromNever says exactly where he is from He makes up a false and romantic identity for He makes up a false and romantic identity for

himselfhimself He is an outsider at Devon.He is an outsider at Devon.

World War II is omni-present.World War II is omni-present. The war encroaches on Devon and the students’ The war encroaches on Devon and the students’

lives.lives. The war as a threat to peace is a main theme.The war as a threat to peace is a main theme.

CharactersCharacters Stories seek to reveal character: either a Stories seek to reveal character: either a

particular individual or of human nature particular individual or of human nature in general.in general.

ProtagonistProtagonist The main characterThe main character Display a complex set of both good & Display a complex set of both good &

bad traitsbad traits Face: moral crisis, physical or Face: moral crisis, physical or

emotional challengeemotional challenge Readers usually sympathize with Readers usually sympathize with

protagonistprotagonist Is it Gene or Phineas?Is it Gene or Phineas?

AntagonistAntagonist Some one opposed to the protagonist Some one opposed to the protagonist

and who impedes his progress.and who impedes his progress. Is it Brinker, the students at Devon, Is it Brinker, the students at Devon,

the world at war, or Gene himself?the world at war, or Gene himself?

Finny

PlotPlot StructureStructure

EquilibriumEquilibrium Protagonist’s life is in relative order, although he Protagonist’s life is in relative order, although he

may not be satisfiedmay not be satisfied Gene is a young man.Gene is a young man.

Follows the rules, likes order, hard worker.Follows the rules, likes order, hard worker. Has a perfect best friend in FinnyHas a perfect best friend in Finny

ComplicationComplication Something disrupts the status quo and creates Something disrupts the status quo and creates

conflictconflict Finny is a foil for Gene, upsetting Gene’s lifeFinny is a foil for Gene, upsetting Gene’s life Gene perceives that Finny is jealous of Gene, Gene perceives that Finny is jealous of Gene,

whereas the opposite is truewhereas the opposite is true Gene’s jealousy consumes him. Gene’s jealousy consumes him.

PlotPlot Having resolved the Having resolved the

conflict, a new state conflict, a new state of equilibrium is of equilibrium is achieved.achieved. Gene understands Gene understands

and somewhat and somewhat forgives his forgives his nemesis, Brinker nemesis, Brinker Hadley.Hadley.

Gene goes to war.Gene goes to war. Gene comes back to Gene comes back to

Devon years later to Devon years later to get closure on the get closure on the big event in his life.big event in his life.

CharacterizationCharacterization RoundRound

Are emotionally changed by the challenges Are emotionally changed by the challenges they face and the decisions they makethey face and the decisions they make

FlatFlat Do not emotionally develop during the course Do not emotionally develop during the course

of the storyof the story DynamicDynamic

Their actions impact the course of events in Their actions impact the course of events in the storythe story

StaticStatic They participate in the story but do not alter They participate in the story but do not alter

the chain of eventsthe chain of events

Characterization GridCharacterization Grid

Low impact on events

High impact on events

Significant emotional

development & change

Little emotional development &

change

Gene Finny Brinker

Leper

The Deans

Literary Devices - MetaphorsLiterary Devices - Metaphors World War IIWorld War II

The internal war that each student The internal war that each student fights within himself. The focus of the fights within himself. The focus of the novel is internal and on the young novel is internal and on the young people.people.

Gene’s mind becomes a battle ground Gene’s mind becomes a battle ground for conflicting emotions like jealousy, for conflicting emotions like jealousy, fear, love and hate.fear, love and hate.

FinnyFinny Peace. lost during war. Peace. lost during war.

WWIIWWII When Gene cannot acknowledge his When Gene cannot acknowledge his

feelings and is at war with himself.feelings and is at war with himself. Finny is a victim and a casualtyFinny is a victim and a casualty

Winter CarnivalWinter Carnival A reckless celebration during the dead A reckless celebration during the dead

of winterof winter Joy and peace in the midst of war and Joy and peace in the midst of war and

conflict.conflict.

Literary Devices - MetaphorsLiterary Devices - Metaphors Metaphor: a figure of speech in Metaphor: a figure of speech in

which a comparison between two which a comparison between two unlike objects is suggested or unlike objects is suggested or implied.implied.

Blitzball:Blitzball: A sport without competitorsA sport without competitors Life at Devon. individual struggle Life at Devon. individual struggle

or every man for himselfor every man for himself Finny triumphs at this gameFinny triumphs at this game

Snowball Fight:Snowball Fight: Similar to blitzball, but this time Similar to blitzball, but this time

Finny is defeated.Finny is defeated. It brings an end to Finny and It brings an end to Finny and

the peace he represents.the peace he represents. The surf at the beach.The surf at the beach.

The control that Finny had over The control that Finny had over GeneGene

Literary Devices - SymbolsLiterary Devices - Symbols Symbols: The use of one object Symbols: The use of one object

to represent or suggest another. to represent or suggest another. They embody universal They embody universal suggestions of meaning.suggestions of meaning. Summer & Winter sessions at DevonSummer & Winter sessions at Devon

Summer sessions are times of anarchy Summer sessions are times of anarchy and freedom. The innocence of youth.and freedom. The innocence of youth.

Winter sessions are dark, disciplined and Winter sessions are dark, disciplined and filled with work. They also represent the filled with work. They also represent the shift from youth to the responsibilities of shift from youth to the responsibilities of adulthood and the war.adulthood and the war.

Finny’s fall from the tree.Finny’s fall from the tree. End of the summer session.End of the summer session. A fall from innocence, like Adam & Eve, A fall from innocence, like Adam & Eve,

who are exiled from the Garden of Eden. who are exiled from the Garden of Eden.

FlashbacksFlashbacks Shifting backward in time Shifting backward in time Writers use this to achieve different Writers use this to achieve different

purposes.purposes. For example, an author might flash For example, an author might flash

back to a character’s past experiences back to a character’s past experiences and current thoughts, feelings, and and current thoughts, feelings, and behavior.behavior.

Knowles uses this through Gene as he Knowles uses this through Gene as he remembers what happened at the tree.remembers what happened at the tree.

Motifs – recurring themesMotifs – recurring themes WarWar

We see war through out the novel.We see war through out the novel. WWII is a key element of the settingWWII is a key element of the setting

It encroaches on life at DevonIt encroaches on life at Devon Students like Gene at war with themselvesStudents like Gene at war with themselves

PeacePeace Amidst the competition among studentsAmidst the competition among students

Competition among the studentsCompetition among the students In and out of classIn and out of class

AthleticsAthletics Tree climbing, swimming, skiing, crewTree climbing, swimming, skiing, crew

Competitive sportsCompetitive sports BlitzballBlitzball

Non-competitiveNon-competitive Jealousy, EnvyJealousy, Envy

Particularly Gene and BrinkerParticularly Gene and Brinker Rash ActionsRash Actions

Gene, Leper, BrinkerGene, Leper, Brinker

Themes – Ignorance & WarThemes – Ignorance & War

Ignorance in the human heart leads Ignorance in the human heart leads to conflict or war.to conflict or war. Gene looks back later in life and says Gene looks back later in life and says

“Finny had escaped this hostile world…“Finny had escaped this hostile world…nothing broke his harmonious unity so nothing broke his harmonious unity so at last I did.”at last I did.”

Gene was, “on active duty all my time at Gene was, “on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there.”school; I killed my enemy there.”

BildungsromanBildungsroman

Coming of Age storyComing of Age story The journey from innocence to The journey from innocence to

experience.experience. Gene breaks out of his comfortable, Gene breaks out of his comfortable,

predictable life by following Finny.predictable life by following Finny. Gene is frightened by Finny’s freedom Gene is frightened by Finny’s freedom

and then threatened by it.and then threatened by it. Discomfort leads to suspicion and Discomfort leads to suspicion and

jealousy.jealousy.

BildungsromanBildungsroman Conflicting and confusing emotions.Conflicting and confusing emotions.

Gene:Gene: unjustified jealousy.unjustified jealousy. Mixing love and hate.Mixing love and hate. Rash behavior. Gene injures Finny.Rash behavior. Gene injures Finny.

Finny:Finny: Denies the war because he can not participate in it.Denies the war because he can not participate in it.

Brinker:Brinker: Models GeneModels Gene He is jealous of Gene’s devotion to FinnyHe is jealous of Gene’s devotion to Finny He seeks to bring down Gene in a manner similar to the He seeks to bring down Gene in a manner similar to the

way Gene brought down Finny.way Gene brought down Finny. Leper:Leper:

Acts rashly and is the first student to enlist in the service.Acts rashly and is the first student to enlist in the service.

Forming an IdentityForming an Identity Seeking to establish, but being Seeking to establish, but being

uncomfortable with one’s identity.uncomfortable with one’s identity. Gene is from the south and does not quite fit in.Gene is from the south and does not quite fit in.

He makes up a false identity.He makes up a false identity. The pictures of the old south on his walls.The pictures of the old south on his walls.

Gene’s desire to blur his own identity with Gene’s desire to blur his own identity with Finny’s.Finny’s.

Wearing Finny’s clothes.Wearing Finny’s clothes. After accident they depend on each other.After accident they depend on each other.

Gene does sports for Finny.Gene does sports for Finny. Gene lets Finny coach him.Gene lets Finny coach him. Finny live vicariously through Gene.Finny live vicariously through Gene. Gene finds happiness in losing himself in Finny.Gene finds happiness in losing himself in Finny.

Gene does not like himself.Gene does not like himself. Gene likes Finny very much.Gene likes Finny very much.

In the end Gene feels as if Finny’s funeral is his own.In the end Gene feels as if Finny’s funeral is his own.

Literal Meaning of “A Separate Literal Meaning of “A Separate Peace”Peace”

Refers to the withdrawal of one of a Refers to the withdrawal of one of a group of combatants, though the group of combatants, though the total war continues.total war continues.

Finny makes a separate peace and Finny makes a separate peace and removes himself from the war removes himself from the war atmosphere by refusing to accept the atmosphere by refusing to accept the existence of conflict.existence of conflict.

He call it a myth and denies the He call it a myth and denies the reality, and by doing so achieves a reality, and by doing so achieves a separate peace of his own.separate peace of his own.

Winter and Summer SessionsWinter and Summer Sessions Summer is allied to peace, the Summer is allied to peace, the

winter is engulfed by war.winter is engulfed by war. There was a freedom and There was a freedom and

joyousness in the summer session. joyousness in the summer session. In winter, a sterner regimen takes In winter, a sterner regimen takes

control and harsher values emerge.control and harsher values emerge. Finny, allied to summer, has Finny, allied to summer, has

brought with him the sense of brought with him the sense of freedom and pleasures.freedom and pleasures.

Symbolism of the tree and Devon Symbolism of the tree and Devon RiverRiver

The setting of the book is The setting of the book is beautiful, but one thing is beautiful, but one thing is forbidden – jumping out of the forbidden – jumping out of the tree. It is as much a forbidden tree. It is as much a forbidden one as the Biblical tree. The one as the Biblical tree. The boys do climb the tree and boys do climb the tree and they do jump. Gene is they do jump. Gene is overcome by his jealousy and overcome by his jealousy and driven to harm Finny. Finny fall driven to harm Finny. Finny fall physically, but Gene falls physically, but Gene falls spiritually. Like Adam, he spiritually. Like Adam, he brings sin into his worldbrings sin into his world

MicrocosmMicrocosm A microcosm is a little world. It is a A microcosm is a little world. It is a

miniature of a larger happening. The miniature of a larger happening. The conflict between Gene and Finny is a conflict between Gene and Finny is a reflection of the larger conflict between reflection of the larger conflict between nations. The distrust and jealousy nations. The distrust and jealousy which instigated Gene’s jealousy also which instigated Gene’s jealousy also instigated WWII. Knowles stresses that instigated WWII. Knowles stresses that the evil that stems from within the the evil that stems from within the human heart, and that the nature of human heart, and that the nature of the conflicts is identical although the the conflicts is identical although the size and scope may differ.size and scope may differ.

Comparison of Gene and FinnyComparison of Gene and Finny Gene is a good athlete and superior Gene is a good athlete and superior

student. He is very serious and preferred student. He is very serious and preferred studying to other activities. He wouldn’t studying to other activities. He wouldn’t admit that Finny is his best friend. He build admit that Finny is his best friend. He build resentment toward Finny. Gene faced the resentment toward Finny. Gene faced the war and saw evil and hatred in men’s war and saw evil and hatred in men’s hearts. hearts.

Finny is a superior athlete and average Finny is a superior athlete and average student. He enjoyed fun. He was honest student. He enjoyed fun. He was honest and open about his true feelings. He and open about his true feelings. He admitted Gene was his best friend. He admitted Gene was his best friend. He refused to accept the reality of a war. He refused to accept the reality of a war. He was totally good and felt no hatred toward was totally good and felt no hatred toward others.others.

The excellent exterior The excellent exterior acousticsacousticsrecorded his rushing recorded his rushing steps andsteps andthe quick rapping of the quick rapping of his canehis canealong the corridor and along the corridor and on theon thefirst steps of the first steps of the marble stairway.marble stairway.Then these separate Then these separate soundssoundscollided into the collided into the general tumultgeneral tumultof his body falling of his body falling clumsilyclumsilydown the white marble down the white marble stairs.stairs.

From my locker I From my locker I collected mycollected mysneakers, jock strap, and sneakers, jock strap, and gymgympants and then turned pants and then turned away,away,leaving the door ajar for leaving the door ajar for thethefirst time, forlornly open first time, forlornly open andandabandoned, the locker abandoned, the locker unlocked.unlocked.This was more final than This was more final than thethemoment when the moment when the HeadmasterHeadmasterhanded me my diploma. handed me my diploma. MyMyschooling was now over.schooling was now over.

ToneTone

Does the author focus on the Does the author focus on the innocence of youth or the difficulty in innocence of youth or the difficulty in growing up?growing up?

Is the tone hopeful or dark?Is the tone hopeful or dark? Are people basically good or evil?Are people basically good or evil?