What Are The Similarities Between Gene Forrester And Phineas

In A Separate Peace By John Knowles Gene Forrester and Phineas are best friends and attended Devon Boarding School. They are introduced as Gene being shy and keeping to himself as well as more brilliant than anything, Phineas (Finny) is known as outgoing, kind, and very athletic. Even though they have entirely different personalities they have been best friends since their start at Devon. Even though I believe I relate to both of them in many ways, I relate the most to Finny because of how understanding and down-to-earth, he is as well as energetic. Their friendship is very different but always works out in the end. There are many scenes in this book that shows Finny having confidence and having fun instead of worrying about grades or conflicts.

He knows what Gene is comfortable with and knows they are nothing alike but he doesn’t see that as a reason to not hang out and do certain things. At the same tree where the SS meetings were held, Finny fell out and broke his leg. The truth was, Gene was behind him and got upset about the friendship from long term problems and jumped the limb which caused Finny to lose his balance and fall. After he was in a cast and healing, the secret was killing Gene. He went to the infirmary to tell him the truth but it didn’t really go as planned. Gene had felt envious of Finny’s charm and talent. Gene told Finny what he had done and Finny wouldn’t allow it. “Of course, you didn’t.” “Of course you didn’t do it. You damn fool. Sit down. You damn fool.” (Knowles 62). Finny knows deep down that it was the truth, but he couldn’t stand conflict in the friendship; he shuts it down and convinces Gene that it’s fine, and forgives him quickly. Even though this is a life-altering event he would rather do the right thing and be civil than have this argument. He almost seems uncomfortable with conflict and violence and that is shown later in the book when talking about the war going on,