Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Enemy A Seperate Peace Essay Example For Students

Enemy A Seperate Peace Essay Dealing with enemies has been a problem ever since the beginning of time. In A Separate Peace by John Knowels, the value of dealing with your feelings and dealing with your enemies is shown by Gene Forester, a student in Devon during World War 2 dealing with few human enemies, but his emotions create a nemesis far greater than any human enemy. I never killed anybody, Gene had commented later in his adulthood, And I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at Devon; I killed my enemy there.Now about the enemies that Gene had put into his own life. Gene had a best friend, his name was Finny, they were roommates and did many activities together. Finny was never the source, but the core of most of Genes feelings, both good and bad. First, one of the biggest problems that Gene had, that is jealousy. Gene was jealous of Finnys confidency, openness, modesty, superb athletic abilities, his natural leadership skills, his ability to deal with stress easily, his care free attitude, his people skills and, of course, his good Early in the story Finny demonstrated his openness by when asked for his height, he said 5 foot, 8 inches, while Gene replies 5 foot, 9 inches. Finny pointed out that they were the same height and you shouldnt be ashamed to tell anybody your real height. Later that day, they skip dinner to go swimming in the river, by Finnys choice, and are asked where they were on return. Finny quickly replied that they were swimming in the river, something that is forbidden, right down to the last detail, and they got away with it. Gene said that the rules are very bent during the summer session, but it was actually Finnys people skills that had kept them out of trouble. Finny was very bold, as Gene many a time wished he was, on one occasion Finny wore a bright pink shirt symbolizing the first U.S. bombing in Europe. Gene called him a faerie but really envied him. L ater Finny wore the school tie as a belt and when questioned he claimed that it represented Devon in the war. Gene was hopeingly awaiting a scolding for Finny, but again, he got in no trouble. Another day the two were walking and came across a plaque near the pool claiming that A. Hopkins Parker held the record for swimming across the pool the fastest, Finny took one look at and thought he could beat it, so without any practice at all he plunged into the pool, Gene timed him and he beat it, just like that. Gene wanted to get an official scorekeeper so Finny could get a plaque but Finny said no, in my head I know that I did it, thats all that matters, thus demonstrating that Finny is very modest and secure. The next day Gene and Finny went to the beach, which wasnt allowed. This was done at Finnys request, Gene was going to study for a test, but he felt that he cant say no to Finny so hey went. At the beach Gene noticed a lot of people looking at them, he knew they were looking at Fi nny because of his well built body and his golden tan but Finny said that they were looking at Gene. Before they return, Finny calls Gene his best pal and Gene wanted to reply, but he wasnt sure about it himself and he also has a hard time expressing his true feelings. That was his first enemy, now the next, anger. Genes anger isnt too bad alone but when jealousy and anger are lurking in the same domain, they prove to be a deadly combination. Gene was angry about such things as Finnys ability not to get in trouble, and Genes unwillingness to say no to Finny, but the real war started when he got the idea that because Finny has low grades, he wanted to lower Genes grades as well so he will better than Gene. Gene believed that Finny was trying to wreak his studies with games, an organization they had formed-the Secret Suicide Society, going to the beach and all this youre my best friend stuff. Other than that, there is little anger between Finny and Gene. One day, Finny wanted Gene to come jump off a high limb into the river with him, as they have been doing for several weeks now, and he claimed that Leper, the school nerd, would be jumping today as well. Gene burst out angrily at the idea because he was studying, and thought Finny was trying to wreak his studies, so he said no. Finny took no offense and went along like nothing happened, but Gene couldnt stand saying no to Finny and went anyway. Now he was enraged on the inside because he knew that Finny was not trying to wreak his studies and really is perfect. When at the tree, he was still sore at Finny and when he was about to jump, Gene shook the limb, Finny Lost balance, fell and shattered his leg. Never to play sports again. Now Gene had a new enemy: Guilt. Jesus and muhammed EssayThe next morning he wakes up and returns to his room to find a note on the door asking him to bring Finnys clothes and toilet articles to the infirmary, so he packs them and brings them to Finny. When he got there a phrase came to mind: this is it very appropriate for the challenge he now faces. Gene enters and places the suitcase on Finnys bed, Finny sorts through his things quietly and than says to gene that he has tried to enlist in every branch of the army. but because of his leg, no branch will take him. Gene replies to him that he would be no good in the army because he would confuse everybody and doesnt have the heart to kill. At this point Finny has a 100% realization that Gene intentionally had caused the accident at the tree and he tells him you have already shown me, I believe you. Those are Finnys last words to Gene symbolizing the forgiveness that has taken place. Gene later returns to the infirmary and the doctor tells him that finny has died, his heart was stopped by a piece of bone marrow, and that he died peacefully. Finny never cried, not then, not at the funeral, because he was an extension of Finny and you cant cry at your own funeral.Gene did enter the war, but he never saw any action, and was never in any fighting, but he realizes, as Brinker pointed out, that when Finny said that the war is just a joke made up by old men, he was right, it is a game, and their sons are playing in that game and they are dyeing not for their country, but for the sins of others. He realized it but didnt believe it, Gene feels that wars are made by something ignorant in the human heart. Gene was ready for the war now, he was ready to face new problems, new enemies, Finny took problems a little at a time, and thats how Gene has changed-he is taking that same approach also. Hate, anger, fear jealousy, and the enemies in the human heart are gone from Gene now, Finny has taken them with him to his Bibliography:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.