Re-read the opening paragraph of chapter 3. Explore and explain the quote “Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me” (33). Explain what Gene is saying and why he is saying it at this point. What are the larger implications of what he is saying?
At the end of chapter 2, Gene spends a whole paragraph expressing his gratitude towards Phineas for saving his life, and appears to be nothing but thankful towards Phineas after the near accident. But his first words of chapter 3 show that Gene appears to have slightly altered his opinion on Phineas’s heroic deed. His statement “He had also practically lost it for me” (Knowles, 33), shows that his new thoughts discredit Phineas’s deed in his own mind, and show he thinks it was because of Phineas that he was put in that situation in he first place, so why should he be grateful as Phineas was just saving himself just as much as he was Gene, as if Phineas hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have been on the limb and lost his balance, as he never would have gone on the limb in the first place. Gene later states “i didn’t need to feel any tremendous rush of gratitude toward Phineas” (Knowles, 33), expressing his thoughts that it is not necessary or required to be thankful towards Phineas as it was Phineas’s fault anyway. This shows that Gene is purposely not grateful towards Phineas, as even if it was Phineas’s fault, he still saved his life, showing Gene does not wish to be in Phineas’s debt. Gene is also jealous, as his jealousy is clear throughout the book, and it is clear it is slowly growing and at this point Gene, upset with Phineas and envious of his social and physical prowess, is tired of constantly following Phineas everywhere. Gene does not wish to have once again require Phineas’s help, or have to owe him anything and have a debt to repay, so he searches and attempts to create an excuse as to why it was Phineas’s fault and how he needs no thanks towards Phineas for saving his life. Gene, though Phineas’s best friend, is tired of living in his shadow and begins to grow jealous of Phineas’s capabilities and personality, leaving Gene to be slowly torn away from his best friend.
JJ Ma
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