Some critics have identified Finny as Gene’s “Doppelganger,” another self, wild and uncontrollable, that Gene loves but feels he must destroy . Gene is the good boy, the theory explains, the student who wants to obey, but is prevented by dark forces beyond his control, represented by Finny.
How does Finny feel towards gene?
While Finny innocently trusts Gene and has no harmful feelings towards him , Gene deeply resents Finny for his natural charisma and effortless ability to succeed. Gene’s insecurities and jealousy take a turn for the worse when he decides to purposely make Finny fall from a tree, which shatters Finny’s leg.
Was Finny jealous of Gene?
Finny was never jealous of Gene and is, therefore, probably a better person for it.
Why does Gene not cry when Finny dies?
Although he is overwhelmed by the news of Finny’s death, Gene does not cry, not even at the funeral, because he feels as if it is actually his own funeral . ... Clearly, Gene’s nightmare vision of himself comes from the knowledge of his guilt — and the separation that he now feels from Finny.
Why is Finny jealous of Gene?
Finny makes a joking observation to subtly convey his lack of interest in competition. Gene misses his intention and takes Finny at his word. Gene’s jealousy of Finny’s status as best athlete of their class has led him, half-consciously, to try to make them “even” by being the best scholar .
What does Finny’s death symbolize?
Finny’s death represents his failure to become an adult . ... This happens right after Finny admitted that Gene had in fact purposely jounced the limb. Finny’s death is symbolic of the fact that having to evolve, or become an adult, and face conflict was too much for him, so he literally perished.
Does Finny forgive Gene?
The theme of forgiveness in A Separate Peace
Who is the only character that never had enemies and never hated anyone according to Gene?
Only Finny , Gene reflects, never sensed the existence of an enemy to fight; thus it was that Finny was never afraid and never hated anyone. Finny alone, he muses, understood that the perceived enemy might not be an enemy at all.
Did Gene mean to hurt Finny?
It wasn’t anything personal. In other words, Finny convinces himself that Gene never meant to hurt him because that is what he must believe.
Does Gene feel guilty?
Gene feels guilty about the accident because he knows how envious he was of Finny and cannot help but think that this envy somehow influenced his actions, even if only on a subconscious level. By dressing up as Finny, however, Gene purges himself of this envy by becoming the object of it.
What does the war symbolize in a separate peace?
In A Separate Peace, John Knowles uses World War II to symbolize denial of conflict and feelings, the reality of impending adulthood , and internal conflict in the minds of Gene and Finny. ... World War II symbolizes denial in many forms.
How does Gene feel after Finny’s death?
In the moment of Finny’s passing, the boys are symbolically still a part of each other. Gene himself recognizes this fact, as evident from his remark that Finny’s funeral feels like his own . In a sense, the funeral is his own.
How did Gene feel after Finny’s death?
Gene does not cry at Phineas’s funeral because he feels it is his own, and you don’t, he says, cry at your own funeral. He experiences it as his own funeral because Finny felt like a part of himself : they were very close, and Gene believes he will never meet with his friend’s generosity of spirit again.
What is Finny a symbol of?
Finny symbolized peace, harmony and innocence ; his death symbolized the departure of that. It is a “growing up”, a surrender to the world, and the conquest of reality over innocence.
Is Finny innocent?
After Phineas, also known as Finny, falls from the tree, he slowy begins to change. He begins to lose his innocence, It can be seen in the beginning of the novel that Finny acts very innocent . For example, Finny’s game of Blitzball shows his spontaneous style of play, and his innocent child like personality.
How does Finny lose his innocence?
Even though there is competition between even the closest of friends, none are this deeply rooted in evil. Finny loses innocence when he comes to face the reality of the war , but the ultimate loss of innocence in both boys occurs when they realize the other’s role in each of their downfalls.
