Critical Analysis of "A Seperate Peace"
Critical Analysis of "A Seperate Peace"
In the book A Separate Peace, John Knowles makes the arguments that all things have a dual nature, all things change, and all things experience conflict. The story follows the different parts of Knowles’ thesis and illustrates each of them. The book A Separate Peace illustrates on each of Knowles’ points using the characters and settings effectively.
The people, locations, and even the seasons at Devon School all have a dual nature. For example, Gene and Phineas are two completely different characters. Gene is introverted and studious, while Phineas is the natural leader of any group and is good in every sport that he tries at. Phineas attracts everyone that he meets (p. 32). Also, locations in Devon have a dual nature. For example, the two rivers, the Devon and the Naguamsett are two different things, the Devon being clean and refreshing and the Naguamsett being murky and filthy (p. 78). Also, the outside and inside of the buildings at Devon are very different (p. 102). Furthermore, the seasons at Devon are very different. During the summer, things are carefree and happy, and the rules are less strictly enforced (p. 16). While, during the winter, things are more stressed in the boys’ lives, and everything is a little colder (p. 119).
Throughout the book, things are changing and evolving. The seasons change from winter into summer. Things change as a result of this. The teachers treat the boys with more discipline in the winter than in the summer (p. 16). Also, the entire school seems colder in the winter as well (p. 119). The big tree that the boys jump off of changes. Fifteen years later, it seems smaller and less threatening to Gene (p. 6). Furthermore, the entire school seems smaller to him. He is no longer anxious or threatened by the buildings or any of the school, and he says that the buildings look different to him (p. 1).
Conflict is constant throughout the book, and is mainly between Gene and himself. In the beginning of the book, Gene thinks that Phineas is against him, however Gene is only jealous of Phineas. Gene creates his own conflict....