The Theme Of Good Vs. Evil In John Knowles A Separate Peace

World War II was a devastating event for millions of men, women and children. During this period of time, countless men had the fear of being drafted into this gruesome war. The novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles consists of two characters – Gene and Phineas – living with this fear. The novel sees these two live together through thrill and excitement. The theme of humanity's innate goodness vs. its inherent evil is shown throughout the novel by their attitudes towards World War II, what Phineas and Gene want in their lives, and the actions they perform.

To begin, World War II’s impact through fear of the draft and obliviousness towards Gene and Phineas reflects on how much the theme of good vs. evil. Gene is a believer of the war. He also

evil. Phineas and Gene both want completely different futures. “...’I never should have left you alone,’”( 103), was said by Phineas. Phineas wants Gene to be someone like him, an athletic type. Someone who doesn’t care about school as much as Gene does. Gene is not like this at all. “‘You want to be head of the class, valedictorian,’”( 51), being stated by Phineas in a disapproving tone reflects on how much approval Phineas gives. Gene wants to be a valedictorian and just graduate. He truly cares about this because he can look good for a college. With Phineas around polluting him, it does not help Gene at all. “‘You work too hard,’”( 51), was told to Gene when he was studying with Phineas. Phineas wants Gene to be like him, to not worry about school and just to live life to the fullest. When this is done, it does not work out for Gene and he hits the books right after. Phineas is the villain yet again because he wants Gene to be like him and not do what he wants; however, Gene is the good in this novel because he knows what he wants to do and let’s Phineas follow his passions. Gene does care about Phineas and his academics, but he doesn’t let that stop Phineas from being

evil. Phineas pulls a stunt to show his ignorance towards everything yet again. Leper Lepellier was enlisted in the war. He was good friends with Gene and friends with Phineas. Leper was a hot topic in Devon school because he was in the war. Phineas, who does not believe in the war himself, decides to take action in something to demote Leper’s heroism. “‘Who wants a winter carnival?’”( 130), is shouted by Phineas to obtain people's attention. This would work and there would be an enormous winter carnival; consequently, Leper would be forgotten for quite a while. Phineas needs his attention because without it he is nothing. Gene soon realizes what Phineas is pulling when he sees a letter. Phineas snatches it and reads it aloud; consequently, Phineas knows what was read is false. “I took the telegram from Phineas, facing in advance whatever the destruction was,”( 137), the telegram was a letter from Leper alerting Gene about something that had happened in the war. Gene has learned whatever Phineas does will not end well for anyone. Phineas pulled this entire stunt to distract others from the painful reality. Leper was the largest topic of conversation, so Phineas decides he must make others forget about Leper for a bit so he can be all the rave for a while. Gene is the hero yet again because he has learned to deal with the destruction that the usual suspect – Phineas – causes. Phineas is