Use Of Symbols And Motifs In A Separate Peace By John Knowles

Authors often use symbolism, which is used to make an object represent something else that is greater or deeper than its literal meaning, and motifs, which are ideas that are repeated to contribute to the development the theme, in order to write a great novel. The author of the novel A Separate Peace, John Knowles, utilizes nature symbols and motifs in order to acknowledge the differences in characteristics of the two protagonists, Gene and Phineas. Knowles forms a contrast between the two major characters by using the details of the Devon and the Naguamsett river located in Devon. Gene describes the Devon River as a place where they “had so much fun, all the summer” (76). Finny’s lively and energetic traits compare to the Devon River as

The Naguamsett River represents Gene and his traits as the river is described as “ugly, saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed” (Knowles 76). The author’s use of diction unveils the comparison of Gene’s negative and introverted traits to the river. Similar to being fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed, Gene holds a weight of obligation without Finny. He is always doubting friendship and insecure with him being a reliable friend to Phineas. Knowles also creates an aura of ungratefulness as Gene says “I didn’t need to feel any tremendous rush of gratitude toward Phineas” (Knowles 33) after Finny saving his life. The Naguamsett River being used as a symbol of Gene’s dark and negative attitude reveals that Gene is struggling with appreciating his friend. The contrasting traits of Devon River and Naguamsett River are used as symbols to express the distinct characteristics of Gene and

Gene describes the winter session with a metaphor by saying, “The sky is an empty hopeless gray and gives the impression that this is its eternal shade” (Knowles 128). The winter session’s trait of “gray” represents Gene’s qualities of and lifelessness as the winter’s description is constantly mentioned throughout the book. The author uses a bitter winter motif to compare with Gene’s personality, which contrasts with Phineas and the summer session. Unlike Gene, Finny’s personality is reminded with a motif that is full of happiness and joy. During the summer session, Gene describes “the playing field” as “optimistically green and empty” (35). This bright description of summer time correlates to Finny’s positive traits, as he is the positive character in the novel. The playing field is being illustrated as a motif to describe Finny’s energetic spirit. The reappearance of the season’s description and the different mood each season brings makes it an important motif that clearly contrasts the contradictory traits of Finny and