A Separate Peace By John Knowles: Character Analysis

Personal inhibition can cause an individual to lash out, and harm others around them. Author Knowles represented this through Gene, and his constant battle with his thoughts and assumptions. Early in the book we see Gene show multiple signs of jealousy, whether it be during the swimming scene (44), or when he lashes out at Phineas while trying to study for a test (57). The swimming scene represents the theme of jealousy, and as a result we are seen with Gene left in awe of Phineas’s ability to beat the school record without an ounce of practice. His jealousy resulted in him creating the assumption that Phineas was dominant over him, and he must counteract that with academics in order to restore a balance, or a slight dominance over Phineas.

Phineas was portrayed as a very optimistic and realistic character. He was one of the most influential characters as he was one of the few that had a set and defined identity established for him, even after the breaking of his leg. It wasn’t until later in the book, where we finally see Phineas get lost in his own delusions. The first illusion he falls under, though not as clear and prominent, is that in which he can do anything, and can get away with everything, based off his proven track record of breaking rules and getting away with it. For example missing dinner (21), or wearing the Devon tie as a belt (28). This is seen multiple times as he is completely fearless when jumping out of the tree. First and foremost, it represents the motives Phineas is ruled by “inspiration and anarchy.” (34). However this illusion is brutally broken when he falls out of the tree, and reality hits him with the fact that he will never be able to play sports again. This illusion was broken once again towards the end, when he breaks down as a result of an endless amount of rejection from military service groups. He went from the illusion that he can do anything, to that of no one wanting him, that he was useless. In both cases, the reality of the situation was quite the opposite, he was able to get away with everything because of the value he brought to Devon’s athletic department, and Gene his best friend relies on him every day. Gene relies on Phineas as we have seen on multiple occasions, as Phineas is apart of and helps form his identity, however Phineas never acknowledges that, in fact he has never acknowledged the reality of any of his circumstances. With the exception during his breakdown when he partially acknowledges the fact that military service is not a route for him to take, regardless of his desire to do so. Phineas is a character who was never known to reconcile. As a result of