EDITED VERSION Assignment 11 Question 1 Katie

Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

Finny's fall is something that Gene can partially be blamed for, but I wouldn't say entirely. Although it was he would physically caused Finny's fall, he wasn't really consciously and purposefully doing it. He hadn't thought it through or planned it out. It was an impulse move. Finny understands this, and says to Gene as they are sitting in the infirmary for the second time, "It was just some kind of impulse move you had in the tree there, you didn't know what you were doing." (Knowles 191). He wasn't trying to cripple Finny for life, it was an impulsive and dangerous move, that he wasn't in control of. Finny's death definitely cannot be blamed on Gene, although he helped to cause it. This is because he wasn't trying to kill Finny at all, and even if he had really meant to make Finny fall off of the tree, he had never had the real, admitted intention of killing Finny. No one is particularly to blame in this situation, although many caused it. Blame is suggesting that it was a their cruel intent. Brinker Hadley helped to cause the death, because if he had not held the trial, Finny never would have fallen down those stairs. Dr. Stanpole helped to cause the death, because he was not quite careful enough during the operation that directly caused Finny's death.

I do not think that anyone should be blamed for Finny's death, although many caused it.

Assignment 11 Question 1 Katie

Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

Finny's fall is something that Gene can partially be blamed for, but I wouldn't say entirely. Although it was he would physically caused Finny's fall, he wasn't really consciously and purposefully doing it. He hadn't thought it through or planned it out. He wasn't trying to cripple Finny for life, it was an impulsive and dangerous move, that he wasn't in control of. Finny's death definitely cannot be blamed on Gene, although he helped to cause it. This is because he wasn't trying to kill Finny at all, and even if he had really meant to make Finny fall off of the tree, he had never had the real, admitted intention of killing Finny. No one is particularly to blame in this situation, although many caused it. Blame is suggesting that it was a their cruel intent. Brinker Hadley helped to cause the death, because if he had not held the trial, Finny never would have fallen down those stairs. Dr. Stanpole helped to cause the death, because he was not quite careful enough during the operation that directly caused Finny's death.

I do not think that anyone should be blamed for Finny's death, although many caused it.

Max Dowden Assignment 11

5) Explain the significance of the last paragraph: "I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when I stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston. I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case."



Gene is deeply shocked by Finny’s death. The fact that he died so suddenly, and in such a random, very medical way, is hard for him to deal with. When Finny dies, Gene feels like he has lost part of himself. He says “I could not escape the feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case.” (Knowles )This shows that, through the entire book, whether Gene saw Finny as a best friend or bitter rival, Phineas played a huge part in shaping his life at Devon. He was central in Gene’s adolescence, and now that that’s gone, it seems to Gene as if a huge hole has just been ripped out of his life. Gene also feels guilty, because he never gets the chance to set things right with Finny. This could also play into the quote, as he feels some of his morality has died.

Assignment 11 Question #1- Sophie Attie

Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

Finny's fall and ultimately his death is not Gene's fault. Gene is not the cause of Finny's final fall down the stairs. It is just wrong to blame Gene for something he did not do. Yes Gene did cause Finny's first fall off the tree but he did not cause the second fall. Although some people might think it's Genes fault i do not think so. It's not that i feel bad for Gene i just think he did nothing wrong. Right before Finny storms out of the assembly room he was arguing with Brinker, not Gene. The entire time it seems like he was mad at Brinker for bringing the topic up. He doesn't even mention Gene, Finny lets all his anger out on Brinker " You get the rest of the facts, Brinker!" He cried, "You get all your facts!" (knowles p. 177). I don't think you can really blame anyone for his fall. The entire trial got Finny mad especially the fact that they were talking about him breaking his leg and they were blaming Gene. Finny obviously showed that he didn't want to talk about that and everyone kept mentioning it. You could tell that Gene was trying to avoid the topic " Never mind about that,' said Brinker with his face responsibly grave.... You know we wouldn't ask you if we didn't have a good reason... good reasons.' 'There's nothing to tell'" (knowles p. 168). Finny started the intensity by saying that he didn't care (p. 176). I can't be sure about what he doesn't care about but i think he doesn't care about the entire thing. He might just be saying he doesn't care about Leper but really he's just stating that he doesn't care who did what and he just wanted to move on. When he fell it was all a blur to Gene. It seemed like Gene knew he did something wrong though, he avoided helping Finny because he feared Finny would get mad. Even though Finny does get very mad at Gene when Gene sneaks into his infirmary window i still think that it is not Gene's fault and Finny only fell because he wasn't thinking straight after he stormed out of the room.

Will Mann Assignment #10 Question #5

5) Explore Brinker’s role in the trial and his motivation. Why does he does he orchestrate the trial?

Brinker orchestrates the trial in the First Building because he wants to complete what he did not finish in the Butt Room. He has been the nosy, uncontempt dormmate throughout the entirety of the novel, and has always had the desire to know everything about everyone everywhere. He is centered around himself, and is always selfish enough to negate advice from others in order to further his academic dominance at Devon School.

Another reason for Brinker's maestro role in the trial is because of his and Gene's plan to enlist in the U.S Army. Prior to Finny's return to Gene's dorm room, Brinker and Gene make a plan to enlist in the army as a team. When Finny returns, however, Gene denies any plan to enlist and dismisses the idea entirely. Brinker inquiries about this subject later, stating, "You've been putting off enlisting in something for only one reason: It's Finny. You pity him." Gene is enraged upon hearing this statement, and their conversation futher damages an already fragile friendship between the two. Brinker thinks that by proving to Gene that Finny is not his true friend by exposing what Finny really thinks about the day he was crippled for life will turn Gene away from Finny and make him want to follow Brinker and enlist in the army.

Assignment 11, question 4, Quinn Egan

If Finny had survived his operation, do you think Gene and Finny could remain friends? Or do you think the friendship at this point is too broken? Make sure to include support from the text in your answer.

If Finny survived his operation then Finny and Gene would have remained friends. They would had remained friends because Finny was convinced that Gene jounced the tree out of random act without thinking not because he wanted Finny to be hurt of even killed. For example, "I believe you . It's okay because I understand and I believe you. You've already shown me and I believe you"(Knowles 191). This quote shows that Finny realizes that all that Gene has been doing was for his own good so he really is a good friend, and a good friend could not of pushed me him off of the tree with hate. This conversation was the last time that they talked before Finny passed away. It was a positive last conversation because they both knew that they were still best friends and always will be.

Assignment 11 question 4 Julia Burnett

If Finny had survived his operation, do you think Gene and Finny could remain friends? Or do you think the friendship at this point is too broken? Make sure to include support from the text in your answer.

Although it would have been difficult at first, had Finny survived his operation him and Gene could have remained friends. Throughout the book Gene talks about Finny's ability to forgive and his inability to hate, therefore, it would be characteristic of Finny to accept Gene's apology and try to move on with their friendship. While Gene reflects on Finny's life after his passing he says, "When they began to feel that there was this overwhelmingly hostile thing in the world with them, then the simplicity and unity of their characters broke and they were never the same again. Phineas alone had escaped this. He possessed an extra vigor, a heightened confidence in himself, a serene capacity for affection which saved him...Only Phineas was never afraid, only Phineas never hated anyone" (Knowles 202-204). Although Gene’s actions at the tree were hostile and cruel, he sincerely apologized, allowing Finny to forgive him before he became overwhelmed with hatred and discontent. In their final conversation, Finny was able to express his anger and impatience with Gene giving them the ability to move past the anger so it could not cause resentment or problems at later times in their friendship. The readers know that Finny accepted Gene’s apology as he says in their last conversation, "I believe you. It's okay because I understand and I believe you. You've already shown me and I believe you" (Knowles 191). With the knowledge of Finny’s forgiveness and desire to move past the difficult time, the reader also understands that rebuilding trust between them will be difficult as described by Finny’s body language. While accepting Gene’s apology, Finny is described to be, “ nodding his head, his jaw tightening and his eyes closed on the tears” (Knowles 191). The nodding of his head and closing of his eyes show that Finny is being sincere while the tightening of his jaw describes the difficulty of rebuilding trust and bonds with Gene. Knowles description of Finny sums up the status of their relationship at the time and leads readers to think that while at times rebuilding friendship between Finny and Gene will be difficult, it is not impossible. Although rebuilding trust after such a traumatic incident would inevitably be difficult, it would be possible, especially with someone as forgiving as Finny.

HENRY BAMFORD'S Assignment 11 Question 1

1) Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

Finny's fall down the stairs wouldn't have happened if Gene hadn't made him fall out of the tree. The tree incident caused many of Finny's feeling about Gene to be bottled up. “ 'You get all the rest of the facts, Brinker!' he cried. 'You get all your facts!' I had never seen Finny crying, 'You collect every f---ing fact there is in the world!'... ” (Knowles 177). Gene's account of Finny's last actions before the fall at Brinker's trial clearly shows bottled up emotions. Gene has some role in the fall, but he definitely not the only person involved. Brinker is also responsible for Finny's fall because his trial freed the truth of what happened at the tree, which, as the reader saw, released Finny's true thoughts. Leper was another key person in the incident because of his detailed memories of the first fall. My point is, more than one person is responsible. Each comment at the trial was a part of pushing Finny to the breaking point. Many unnamed characters had roles in the fall.

question 5, assignment 11, Chris Bornhorst

5) Explain the significance of the last paragraph: "I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when I stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston. I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case."

This last paragraph of the chapter jumped right out of the page to me. Gene didn't cry because he felt as if he had killed himself by pushing Finny off of the tree. He tried to keep it a secret that he did it intentionally but Gene himself says: "The truth will out" (Knowles, 88). By lying to his friend and pushing Finny off the tree killed Gene inside. Once Gene found out that Finny died, he himself knew that he had just died too. He shows this once Dr. Stanpole tells him that Finny's dead. "He was incomprehensible. I felt an extremely cold chill along my back and neck" (Knowles, 193). The paragraph shows that when you kill a best friend, you fall with him.

Assignment 10 pg. 152-177 Question 4-Justin Ma

Name two important events of rising action that Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall. If you choose the trial, choose a specific incident to discuss and how it leads to the fall.

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The first event that Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall is Brinker’s confrontation with Gene. When the two first get together in the unoccupied room, Brinker begins to accuse Gene of not enlisting in the army because he pities Phineas. Brinker follows by saying he should stop giving Phineas so much sympathy along with everyone else, as it will make Phineas “sloppy” with remorse for himself. “If you don’t watch out he’s going to start pitying himself. Nobody ever mentions his leg to him except me. Keep that up and he’ll be sloppy with self-pity any day now. What’s everybody beating around the bush for? He’s crippled and that’s that. He’s got to accept it and unless we start acting perfectly natural about it, even kid him about it once in a while, he never will” (Knowles 160). Brinker continues to push that he is going to confront Phineas, and when Gene objects Brinker states he does not need Gene’s approval, and that it would not hurt Gene to have the whole tree incident behind him as he has a lot to lose from it as well. This shows that Brinker still somewhat suspects Gene, and this builds up to the trial as Brinker states he is going to confront Phineas and mentions getting the whole tree incident cleared up, showing us that something will most likely happen between those three.
The second event Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall is Phineas and Gene’s recent relationship. On page 63, almost the entire page is Phineas describing his trust for Gene, and throughout pages 63 through 64, you can see how happy and relaxed Phineas is when he is with Gene, and vice versa. Then during the trial, it is extremely unlikely that either Phineas or Gene do not have an absolutely clear memory of what happened on the night of the fall, yet both deny remembering it clearly, but mainly Phineas showing he does not want Gene to get in trouble. Then before Leper is brought in and relays the whole story of that night in intense detail, another event that Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall, there is a moment when Phineas is staring at Gene right before he reveals Leper being at Devon, with Gene not returning the look. Phineas revealing Leper’s location and Leper being brought in shows that Phineas had developed some doubts about Gene, and whether or not it is possible that he did shake the branch. Because Gene does not return the look, Phineas’ suspicion is deepened as Gene is avoiding his stare. Then Phineas, wanting to know the truth and whether or not he can trust Gene, reveals Leper’s location so he can find out the whole truth. He called Leper in so he could learn what really happened to him that night. Then afterwards when Leper is mostly done, Phineas interrupts the trial and begins to storm out, clearly hurt by this new information as shown by him crying. But when Gene yells his name, he closes his eyes and when he opens them, “he turned to regard me with a handsome mask of a face” (Knowles 176), showing that Phineas is hurt but does not want to show it, so he attempts to try and make himself look strong. Finally in the end, when Brinker attempted to make Phineas stay, he looses himself and gets lost in his pain and anger causing him to not look where he is going, resulting in him falling down the stairs and hurting himself once again.

JJ Ma

Assignment 11 Question 1 JFrye

Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

You can blame Finny's fall and Death on Gene. Gene is the one who made gene fall from the tree in the first place "I was thinking about it…about you because-I was thinking about you and the accident because I caused it" (Knowles 69). If Gene hadn't jounced the limb of the tree to make Finny fall then the trial in chapter 12 never would have happened. At this trial Finny then fell down the marble staircase which caused him to break his leg for a second time. This time "It was such a simple, clean break" (Knowles 193). and Dr. Stanpole had to then set it which then caused Finny to go into surgery and then later die. Gene therefore caused Finny's death because he caused all the events leading up to his death.

Monday HW Update!!!

Please read reading selection #11 and post/comment on that section. Also, read reading selection #12. You do not need to blog/post on that section, but be prepared to discuss.

Also, bring a key quote to share from anywhere in the novel.

Assignment 10 Question 3 Katie

Katie Massie

Leper’s return to Devon represents to Gene that the truth will come out. Not only because Gene knows that Leper almost definitely remembered everything that happened with the tree, but also because Gene wasn’t entirely honest in his descriptions of Leper to Brinker. He didn’t blatantly lie, but he let Brinker believe that Leper was just being a wimp, that he got frightened and ran home. This is true, but it’s not as pathetic as Brinker thinks. There is so much happening with Leper that Gene leaves out. This could be because he didn’t want to say something embarrassing to Leper, which he was right to not do, but I feel he is making others trust him less when he gives them the wrong image.

The impact that Leper’s return has on Gene and Finny is that they have a conversation with each other about trust and who to believe. It is a very important scene in the book, because Finny is some one is skeptical of a lot of things in his life, but he tells Gene that he has to believe him. Finny tells Gene that if Gene says something is true, Finny will take it as fact. He says, “But I do believe – it’s important after all for me to believe you. Christ, I’ve got to believe you, at least. I know you better than anybody.” (Knowles 163). This is a very important scene because it finalizes Gene and Finny’s closeness right before they are about to be publicly tested in front of a large crowd of people they have known for many years. It’s the moment that their friendship has been building up to throughout the book, where all their time spent together is going to be tested.

Assignment 10 question 1 Ayame

1) At the top of page 155, the snowball fight culminates with everyone turning on Finny. Why does this happen here and why now? How does this moment foreshadow events later in the chapter?

Everyone turns on Finny because he both started the fight and spent the entire fight double-crossing and stabbing his allies in the back. Since this is a game, nobody takes it personally, and the element of uncertainty makes the game more fun. Finny sees it as a way to make the game more fun, and he creates disorder quite purposefully, as Gene observes," Suddenly he turned his fire against me, he betrayed several of his other friends: he went over to the other, to Brinker's side for a short time, enough to ensure that his betrayal of them would heighten the disorder" (Knowles 154). This complete disruption of people's expectations is just like FInny, and it is also exactly what he did about his broken leg. Finny was expected to act like a regular cripple and stop participating in games like this, but he does none of that. The fact that everyone turns on him now, like they would've before, means that they have begun to accept that Finny is the way he is and he isn't going to change. Brinker seems to be one of the few that is still concerned, and he seems to be determined to get Finny to act like a 'normal cripple'. He tells Gene, " ...if you don't watch out he's going to start pitying himself. Nobody ever mentions his leg to him except me, Keep that up and he'll be sloppy with self pity any day now" (Knowles 160). Both this and the snowball fight foreshadow the trial that comes later in the chapter, with Brinker leading the proceedings and everyone turning against Finny. Like in the snowball fight, at the trial the kids are only looking for some harmless fun at first, and don't seem to take it very seriously--except, of course, for Brinker. In the end, they do end up causing a lot of harm despite their best intentions.

Chapter #10, Question #3, Elianna Knight

Finny seeing Leper caused him to admit the war is real and also produced a great moment for Finny and Gene to enjoy . Finny, hearing about Cesar from Gene, confessed that he now believed in all the historical wars, including world war two, due to the fact that he saw Leper outside the chapel. Finny finally conceded, “then I knew that the war was real”... “I saw him myself” (page 163). Seeing Leper act physio as a result of war ended all Finny’s ideas and suspicions, because now he attained proof of the war. After Finny described Leper for a while, Gene states, ““He must be crazy” I said automatically, and then my eyes involuntarily met Finny’s. We broke into sudden laughter.”(page 163-164). Finny and Gene bonded by making fun of Leper. Finny spotted Leper which produced a couple positive situations, but those positive situations don’t compensate for the negativeness of Leper presence the trial creates.

Assignment 10, Question 4, Lachlan McGrath

4) Name two important events of rising action that Knowles uses to build up to the climax of the fall. If you choose the trial, choose a specific incident to discuss and how it leads to the fall.

There were two main events that lead to Finny's fall down the marble staircase. Firstly there was the return of Leper to the school. This had made Gene very uncomfortable as he exclaimed "you saw Leper?" (Knowles 163). This inkling of surprise was because Leper had the ability to share the guess that Gene had jounced the limb. When this finally comes out Gene tried to stop Finny but he let him go. Secondly there was the trial. The specific part of the trial was when they had just gotten Leper. Gene seemed to be feeling very nervous because he knew the "Truth Will Out" (Knowles 88). This sudden change in the atmosphere described in page 173 represents to the responder that everyone is wondering what will happen but does not express their emotions about the subject. This creates an awkward atmosphere that Gene wishes he was not in. Once Leper actually enters the room he tries to act very confident although obviously off his rocker. This led to Genes comment on page 174 that " Any fool could see his false confidence". Both of these events had significant contributions to Finny's fall. This contribution was that of both supense and a rising awkwardness in Finy Gene had never seen before.

Assignment #10 Question #2 Victor

Explore the difference between what ‘escape’ means to Gene as opposed to what it means to Leper (see usage in context on the middle of page 143).

When Gene Forrester hears of Leper’s “escape”, he thinks of Leper and his nerved-wrecked character and naturally concludes that he has escaped from danger. What type of danger does not puzzle him one bit either, he mentions “Since Leper hadn’t been overseas the enemy must have been in his country. And the only enemies in this country would be spies” (Knowles 140). This is a great example of Gene’s very straight narrow mind. He does not consider Leper, possibly being injured, hurt, or in this case mentally unstable. When Gene arrives at Leper’s, he learns the horible truth about Leper’s Section 8 discharge. He doesn’t understand Leper during the chapter, and just when he opens up to Gene, Forrester leaves him to himself. Gene, does not seem to put himself in Leper’s skin, what would he have done if he was given a Section 8 discharge. Leper ran for his future, not his life. He tells Gene, “You can’t get a job after that” (Knowles 144). Gene and Leper have two different “escapes”. To Gene, men and women escape from danger and fight for survival. For Leper, he escaped because of his career, he doesn’t want to be the rumored “Psycho”. At the end, Leper is right back where he came from, with a strang fake confidence that could ruin Gene’s friendship for Finny forever. After all the way Gene treated him, he has every reason too.

Assignment 9 Question # 2 JFrye

Explore the difference between what ‘escape’ means to Gene as opposed to what it means to Leper (see usage in context on the middle of page 143).

Leper has "escaped" from war now when Gene first hears this he automatically assumes "The most logical thing a soldier escapes from is danger, death, the enemy. Since Leper hadn't been overseas the enemy must have been in this country. And the enemies in tis country would be spies. Leper had escaped from spies" (Knowles 140). But once Gene arrives at Lepers house leper tells him "They were going to give me a Section Eight discharge" (Knowles 144). We then find out that this means he is starting to go "psycho". We can then easily tell that in this very short amount of time Leper has made huge changes in the way he acts. Gene's idea of Lepers escape is childish and is unrealistic compared to the truth. This misunderstanding shows the difference between being a boy at devon and being a boy i the war.

Assignment 8 pg. 123-137 Question 4-Justin Ma

Re-read the last paragraph on the bottom of 136 and on to 137.  Paraphrase what Gene is saying and interpret the usage of “separate peace.” What is a “separate peace”? Why is included here? What is it’s significance?

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Gene says that that day, it wasn’t the alcohol of the cider that made him the champion, or that made him run and if asked, jump into the Naguamsett river; it wasn’t the cider that made him so exuberant, but the fact that right then, even if for just a moment, they had escaped from the war and obtained what Gene refers to as a “separate peace.” “It wasn’t the cider which made me surpass myself, it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace” (Knowles 136-137). When Gene refers to a Separate Peace, he is referring to all of the participants in the carnival, having separated themselves from the dismal mood and the terrors of the war and having obtained a special peace and joy nearly impossible to find during the war. This peace, even though during the war, was a “separate” peace because this peace separated them completely from the war, and for probably one of the first times in a while, they managed to put the war completely out of their minds, without anything to worry about at that moment, something probably few managed to achieve during the war. This is significant as during WWII, it would have been difficult for anyone to be completely worry free and have a complete peace of mind as at any moment a family member or friend could die, or you could be drafted right into the war. For these kids, at a boarding school in New Hampshire to achieve that, would truly be a significant moment in all of their lives.

JJ Ma

Assignment 9 Max Dowden

3.) What causes Gene to attack Leper? The answer needs to involve a literal and figurative exploration of what occurs here (middle 145).


In the events leading up to Gene attacking Leper, Leper is describing exactly what a section eight discharge means, how it is given to soldiers who are no longer mentally fit for service. Leper is shouting by this point and gene says "there's nothing wrong with my hearing" (Knowles 44) to which Leper makes the cryptic response "Then that's tough shit for you Buster. Then they've got you." The conversation escalates, and Leper descends into a half crazed rant about how Gene is a savage when the chips are down. At this point, Gene kicks his chair, and Leper falls to the ground, still ranting. This conversation really shoves forward Gene's sensitivity to this topic, and his inner insecurities. Gene reacts so fiercely because he has been almost mentally repressing his actions at the tree, and Leper of all people thrusting it back into focus throws him off. The idea that through all the lies, and the storytelling, and Finny denying it, someone saw right through it all. And for that person to be Leper, someone Gene got closer and closer to in Finny's absence, it feels almost like a betrayal. Gene also reacts so violently because although Leper says it in a state of partial madness, Gene knows a lot of what he said rings true.

HENRY BAMFORD'S Assignment 9 Question 4

4.) Since Leper is “section 8” (“for nuts in the service”), explore the irony of Leper’s statement “always were a savage underneath.” Take into consideration that Leper contacted Gene. Why is this important?

In this reading, Leper says, “ ...always were a savage underneath.” (Knowles 145) several times to Gene when Gene is at his house. This is ironic because while Leper is supposed to be psycho, he's right, Gene is savage. Gene destroyed Finny's best quality, his athletics, because of his own jealousy. What's also ironic about Leper's statement is it's an outburst of tremendous emotion that the reader has never seen with Leper. Usually, Leper was calm and kept strong feelings to himself, but now he's furious, laughing, and crying all at the same time while telling Gene he's a savage. Leper has been bottling his true thoughts and emotions inside for the entirety of the story. Leper contacted Gene at the end of the last chapter. Leper needed Gene to come to his house to let all of his emotions and the truth of what happened at the army out. Maybe Leper will finally return to normal because of this interaction. Everyone at Devon was making jokes that Leper was leading army's attack, but in reality, the army is hurting Leper.

Henry Bamford

Assignment 9 Question 4 Katie

4.) Since Leper is “section 8” (“for nuts in the service”), explore the irony of Leper’s statement “always were a savage underneath.” Take into consideration that Leper contacted Gene. Why is this important?

Leper has basically been diagnosed by the army as, “psycho” so for him to call someone else something is a bit ironic since he shouldn’t be talking. He doesn’t know for a fact what really happened on the tree, and what he is talking about so it doesn’t seem fair for him to accuse someone of being crazy, when he has been called that himself. Leper has always been the most calm, and most peaceful out of the boys, and now he is making the most intense accusation. He has changed to be one of the more disturbed boys. In the beginning of the book, I don’t think anyone could have guessed that Leper would be one of the first to guess what really happened up on that tree. But even though Leper is telling Gene he was “always a savage underneath” he contacts him first because he feels more comfortable with someone he thinks is on the same level as him. He thinks that they both have something wrong with them. Leper wants to contact and talk to someone who has done something wrong, someone who will understand at least a little bit of what he is saying. Leper has changed sufficiently saying,“I admitted a hell of a lot to myself.” (Knowles 145). Leper has changed because now that he feels he has the title of being “psycho”, he feels he can call other people whatever he wants.

Assignment 8 Question 4 Katie Massie

4) Re-read the last paragraph on the bottom of 136 and on to 137. Paraphrase what Gene is saying and interpret the usage of “separate peace.” What is a “separate peace”? Why is included here? What is its significance?

A separate peace to Gene is the idea that the war isn’t affecting them. Although there is this huge dilemma around the world, it doesn’t touch their summers, and their festivals. They keep living their lives, and the war doesn’t seem to disturb it. Here he’s talking about a moment where the war and all other troubles don’t touch them. Nothing is bothering them and they are just peaceful, with no connection to any of their human troubles. Gene points this out saying, “For on this day even the schoolboy egotism of Devon was conjured away,” (Knowles 136). It is included here because they are in the middle of a festival, and a fun day, and the set up with this makes for a more dramatic entrance for the telegram. It makes it even more ironic when the war manages to weasel itself into their nice day. The significance of the separate peace is magnified by the interruption of the telegram. They are experiencing a pure nice day, and moment, and then it becomes even more significant when the telegram appears because it shows that sometimes a separate peace doesn’t stay separate.

Assignment 9 Question 2 Julia Burnett

Explore the difference between what ‘escape’ means to Gene as opposed to what it means to Leper (see usage in context on the middle of page 143).

Gene thinks that when Leper says he escaped it means he had broken free of enemies hold, however Leper believes that "escape" means he ran away before being discharged, as he could see he wasn't fit for the Army physically or emotionally. Gene, along with most of the other boys at Devon, idolize the Army and the soldiers in it, therefore, they believe that the life of a soldier must be filled with glory and special privileges, not something one would want to avoid. As Gene pontificates on the meaning of Leper's telegram while traveling to his house, he says " You didn't "escape" from the Army, so he must have escaped from something else. The most logical thing a soldier escapes from is danger, death, the enemy... And the only enemies in this country would be spies. Leper had escaped from spies" (Knowles 140). Although when Gene arrived at Leper's house he learned that he escaped from a possible discharge that would have tarnished his reputation. Leper, who later admits to having hallucinations and adjustment issues during training camp, means that he escaped from the production line mentality of the Army. As Gene described him when he told him he had escaped he said it, "in a voice and intensity that was not Leper's. His face was furious, but his eyes denied the fury; instead they saw it before them. They were filled with terror" (Knowles 143). This terror was not only of his rebellious actions but his disrespectful feelings toward authorities in the Army. He called himself a psycho, a word he was labeled as in the Army which makes him question the system, saying, "And the perfect word for me, psycho. I guess I am. I must be. Am I, though, or is it the army? Because they turned everything inside out" (Knowles 150). When Leper says he "escaped" from the army, he means that he broke free from the generalized, impersonal tactics that they used. This misunderstanding between Leper and Gene shows the maturity gap between students and men in the army, and the naivety of the boys who think the army brings glory with little effort.

Assignment 8, Question 2, Lachlan McGrath

2) Leper is the first of the boys to enlist. Based on the conversations and narration in the previous few chapters, what about this is ironic?

There are several things ironic about Leper enlistment. Firstly, Leper criticized the mountain skiers for "never getting to see the trees or anything" (Leper 95). However after seeing the Finnish ski troops flying down the mountain his view of skiing had changed. He realized that fast skiing is there for a reason, he also noticed how it was "all right to miss seeing trees and the countryside and all other things whne you've got to be in a hurry" (Leper 125). Secondly, before Leper's realization of his dream to participate in the ski troops, you would have never guessed that he would have been one to enlist in the army. He was "generally making little sketches of birds and trees in the back of his notebook"(Knowles 93). This supports my view that Leper used to be in a world of his own never seeming to have a worry in his mind. The irony involved in Leper's enlist was also a further tearind down of the "separate peace".

Assignment 9, question 1 Chris Bornhorst

1.) Gene spends the first part of the chapter traveling to Leper’s house. Choose two or three phrases of description about the landscape (location, weather, temperature) and explore how Knowles is using them. Why does he include these details here and why at this time? What does it reveal about Gene at this time?

In this chapter, Gene travels to Leper's house after he escapes from the war. When Gene is arriving at Leper's house, he describes at being warm and comfortable. ", and the houses are fragile havens, unforgettably comfortable, simple though they are, just because of their warmth"(Knowles, 139). In this quote Gene is telling the reader that Leper's area in which he lives in is cold on the outside but warm and comfortable on the inside. This relates to Gene because that is his personality and who he is as a person. Also, he has described the landscape in which Leper's house is on. He says that it is a white snow covering the hills, and there was sun shining down onto the land. He describes it as a beautiful place. John Knowles uses these details to describe how pretty the land is, and then how within the land there is a huge war going on and a man who has escaped from it. Gene also uses the word glory which relates to the poems that we read in class. Glory is one of the things you get from war, but death and fear are others. John Knowles uses the landscape and details to describe the beauty and hate of the land and war. He also uses it to describe Gene.

Assignment 9, Question 3- Sophie Attie

3.) What causes Gene to attack Leper? The answer needs to involve a literal and figurative exploration of what occurs here (middle 145).

Gene attacks Leper because Leper accuses Gene of making Finny crippled. Leper has gone completely nuts in this chapter and he doesn’t think about what he says to Gene. He starts getting mad at Gene and then he makes it seem like he wants to make Gene feel bad. He acts like it’s no big deal since he laughs while he accuses Gene. Leper is wondering if Gene even thought about him then he dropped the bomb, “like that time you knocked Finny out of the tree.” (Knowles p. 145). Of course Gene get’s mad and calls Finny’s name but Leper just keeps going as if he doesn’t care about Gene anymore, “Like that time you crippled him for life… Laughing and crying he lay with his head on the floor and hiss knees up.” (Knowles p. 145). Leper just laughs uncontrollably for no reason. He sounds completely nuts here and he keeps teasing Gene so eventually Gene did attack Leper because Leper was getting on his nerves. Gene attacks Leper because he’s mad that Leper is like this, he doesn’t want Leper to be like this he wants him to be his old self that played with snails, it’s almost as if Gene is scared of Leper. He is scared his friend has gone nuts so he attacks Leper as if telling him to snap out of it.

Assignment 8, Question 2 JFrye

2) Leper is the first of the boys to enlist. Based on the conversations and narration in the previous few chapters, what about this is ironic?

Leper is the first person to enlist in the army. No one expects this because Leper was never interested in the war or anything that had to do with the war. But, once Leper sees the video of ski troops skiing down the mountain he suddenly can relate to the war. It is almost as if he finds the war fun and exciting in a way. In his prospective the war now consist of the one thing he loves, skinning. But the one thing Leper doesn't realizes is that the skiing preformed in the war is completely different than the sport that he loves. This is clearly stated on page 125 "You know what? Now I see what racing skiing is all about. It's all right to miss seeing the trees and the countryside and all the other things when you've got to be in a hurry. And when you're in a war you've got to be in a hurry. Don't you? So I guess maybe racing skiers weren't running the sport after all. They were preparing it, if you see what I mean, for the future. Everything has to evolve or else it perishes" (Knowles 125). I agree with Ayame when she said that Brinker was not jealous. I feel that despite all the jokes Brinker is honoring Leper in a way for his courage. He was giving him credit for very heroic deeds like trying assassinate Hitler. This is intended to be a joke but really has an important meaning.

Will Mann Assignment #8 Question #3

3) Why does Finny organize the Winter Carnival? Why is this significant? What is the impact and symbolism of the Winter Carnival?

Finny decides to organize the Winter Carnival for his close friends in hopes that the spirit of fun and joy will erase the image of war and destruction from the Devon school. As we have noticed in earlier chapters, Finny does not believe that the war is real, and that America is not really in danger, as he states, "

The fat old men don't want us crowding them out of their jobs. They've made it all up" (Knowles 115).

Another reason why Finny stages the Winter Carnival is to honor Leper's commitment and the hardships and struggles that he is assumed to be going through at the time. As Leper says, "

You know what? Now I see what racing skiing is all about. It's all right to miss seeing the trees and the countryside and all the other things when you've got to be in a hurry. " (Knowles 125). In this statement, Leper explains how he grows to like downhill skiing and how it is necessary to miss the scenery when you have a purpose. This statement relates to enlisting and the mountain skiing troops, because it illustrates the transition from the peaceful summer Leper, the quiet cross country skier, to the set off, on edge downhill skier of the U.S Army. Finny puts on the Winter Carnival to celebrate the former Leper, and to remember the summer session by simply having a good time.

Assignment #8 Question #3 Victor

Why does Finny organize the Winter Carnival? Why is this significant? What is the impact and symbolism of the Winter Carnival?

Phineas thinks up of the idea of a festival, a winter festival. In this chapter, with Leper and the chaos of the war it is hard to imagine them having a fun experience. Finny says, "You know what we'd better do this saturday?" (Knowles 128). This is strange because Finny, a man of inovation and hope is setting this thing up has if there was nothing else to do. The old Finny would have preferred to go cliff jumping, not that the daredevil Phineas had picked up its bags and gone because of an injury. The daredevil was still there just weaker than ever. He would prefer watch other people have fun than do nothing. For old Finny that would have been tortue. What is symbolic is that Finny's injury made him different and more calm. The impact is total chaos, until the Leper's letter showed up. Finny is very brave to have such an athletic character, and still be positive knowing sports should be forgotten. Let alone the fact that his best friend did this to him.

Assignment 8 Question 2 Ayame

2) Leper is the first of the boys to enlist. Based on the conversations and narration in the previous few chapters, what about this is ironic?

Leper enlists because he sees a video of ski troops skiing down a mountain, and in that moment something clicks: the war suddenly has a familiar side, something that he comprehends and relates to. This is ironic because of all the boys at Devon, Leper was the last that anyone would think of when someone said ‘enlist’. In fact, Brinker starts yelling at him in chapter 7, “ ‘Everybody in this place is a draft-dodging Kraut or a… a…’ the scornful force of his tone turned the word into a curse, “a nat-u-ral-ist!” (Knowles 100). This statement comes immediately before Brinker’s proclamation of his intent to enlist—a promise that he never follows up on, while Leper goes on to be the first to enlist. However, Leper does not sign up because of some intense patriotic desire to defend his country. He signs up because the war to him now represents another chance to do what he loves best, which is skiing. Brinker’s reaction to Leper’s enlistment is interesting, because he doesn’t seem to be jealous despite the fact that everyone expected him to enlist first. As Gene said. “ It probably would have been better for all of us if someone like Brinker had been the first to go. He could have been depended upon to take a loud and dramatic departure, so that the school would have reverberated for weeks after…” (Knowles 126). Instead of being jealous, Brinker seems to glorify Leper by attributing all kinds of heroic deeds to him, like trying to assassinate Hitler. While much of this may be a joke, this serves as an interesting comparison to Gene’s ‘friendship’ with Finny. In the end, which relationship is more 'real' and a better relationship?

chapter #8, Question #3, Elianna Knight

Finny organized the Winter Carnival to animate the boring Saturday afternoons and to recreate the Olympics of 1944. After Gene had been thinking about the bad Saturday afternoons Finny asked him, “You know what we’d better do next Saturday.” This is followed by the introduction of the Winter Carnival. This quote suggests that finny decided to construct the Idea of the winter carnival in order to spice up their Saturday afternoons. Right before they start to begin the Winter Carnival Finny exclaims, “Who ever heard of opening the Games without the sacred fire from Olympus.” Finny wants to light a sacred fire to produce the feeling of the real Olympics. Going to the Olympics is Finny’s dream and he somewhat fulfilled it by building his own Olympics. Boring Saturday afternoons and the dream of the Olympics both contributed to the Idea of the Winter Carnival.

Assignment 7, question 5, Quinn Egan

What is the significance of Gene and Finny’s training? How is related to their conversations about war? What does it reveal about their relationship?

The significance of Gene and Finny's training is that now that Finny will not be able to play sports so now he wants Gene to accomplish his athletic goals for him. "Your going to be the big star now"(Knowles 114). While Gene is being trained athletically by Finny, Finny is also being tutored by Gene so he can keep his grades up. This training each other shows that maybe there friend ship isn't as bad as they believe it is. Because if Finny knows he can not succeed in something he would rather have his friend succeed in it. That reflects positively on their friendship. Gene is also using his time to study to help Finny with his school work so he can succeed in school. This training that Finny is doing to Gene is looking like training for the war. For example when Gene was running the corse in the morning one of the teachers at Devon thought he was training for the war.

Assignment 7 Max Dowden

1.) Explore the dynamics and undertones of Finny and Gene’s first conversations upon his return. Does it feel “realistic” to you? Why or why not?

The conversation Finny has with Gene on his immediate return to Devon tells a lot about the underlying emotions of each of the characters. Finny acts really excited to be back, as is evident in his conversations. He sets about poking fun at Gene, whether it be his clothes or the sheets. Gene on the other hand, does not seem so excited for Finny's return. "Until now, in spite of everything, I had welcomed each new day as though it were a new life, where all past failures and problems were erased, and all future possibilities and joys open and available, to be achieved probably before night fell again." (Knowles 105). This is Genes mindset while Finny is gone. He's independent, and ready to take on anything. But after Finny's return "Now, in this winter of snow and crutches with Phineas, I began to know that each morning reasserted the problems of the night before," (Knowles 105-106). This shows that Gene was doing fine without Finny, and return could bring back some of the problems that drove him to Push Phineas off the tree.

Assignment 7 question 2, Sophie Attie

2.) What does the conversation about enlisting reveal about Finny and Gene’s relationship (p107-108)? Provide at least two specific examples.

During this conversation of enlisting it reveals that Finny needs Gene to stay at Devon. When Brinker walks into the room and asks Gene if he wants to enlist Finny flips out and immediately starts asking "What's he talking about," (knowles p. 107). Gene starts noticing that Finny doesn't want him to go because Finny needs him. He describes how Finny's face gives away that Finny doesn't want Gene to leave " I could hardly believe it, but it was too plainly printed in the closed expression of his face to mistake, too discernible beneath the even tone of his voice: Phineas was shocked at the idea of my leaving. In some way he needed me. He needed me" (knowles p. 108). This proves that Finny and Gene's relationship never ended or had a break. Finny always needed Gene and now that he is crippled he needs Gene even more than he did before. After this conversations Gene realizes that he can't leave Finny, the war was no longer something he dreamed of, enlisting didn't mean anything anymore for Gene. He now just had to stand by Finny and help him get through something he knew caused.

Assignment 7 question 3 Julia Burnett

How does Finny feel about the war? How do you know this? Why does he act this way? Does it feel consistent with his character? (see 108-116)

Finny feels that the war is not real, that it was created by the media and powerful men so they could take more for themselves and not worry of young people threatening their jobs, because he is ashamed that he can't serve his country due to his injury. After Gene told Finny he was going to enlist, he becomes defensive and disappointed until Gene admits that he was never really considering joining the Army and teases Brinker, Finny quickly joining in. This reaction shows the reader that Finny does not want his peers, especially Gene, enlisting in the army. While in the gym, Finny tells Gene that he doesn't believe the war is real, that he thinks it is a lie created by, "The fat old men who don't want us crowding them out of their jobs. They've made it all up" (Knowles 115). In the beginning of the book, the majority of the games and challenges created by Finny were in preparation for the war, such as blitzball and jumping off the tree. As Finny said, jumping off the tree was, " My contribution to the war effort!" (Knowles 16). Before his accident, Finny was a large supporter of the war efforts, explaining to Gene that he wore his "emblem" because, " I was reading in the paper that we bombed Central Europe for the first time the other day... Well, we've got to do something to celebrate" (Knowles 25). After his accident his view on the war changed completely, as he refused to believe its existence. Finny feels this way towards the war after his accident because he is ashamed that he is one of the few young men that cannot serve. By not believing in the war, no one can criticize him for not being able to fight for his country. As we can see when Gene and Brinker are discussing enlisting, Finny becomes defiant and embarrassed, refusing help with his crutches or the shower, as it would show that he was weak and dependent on others, unlike the soldiers they idolize. Finny is lying to himself about the existence of the war to ease his embarrassment. Finny, who refuses to believe there is a war going on, has begun to influence Gene's opinion of the war, which will affect his future as a man, a student, an athlete and an American.

HENRY BAMFORD'S Assignment 7 Question 3

3.) How does Finny feel about the war? How do you know this? Why does he act this way? Does it feel consistent with his character? (see 108-116)

In this reading, Finny seems to have changed greatly from his past self. Earlier in the reading, Finny was always cheerful and seemed to think only about the present. Now, Finny seems to be thinking that World War II is some sort of conspiracy to stop people like himself from doing what they would like and keep them in their place. Finny says, “Don't be a sap (Gene), there isn't any war” (Knowles 115). Later, he goes on to say that some other periods in history, like Prohibition and the Great Depression, were also created for the same purpose. The old Finny would never come up with something so dark and complicated as this. He may have these thoughts because Gene and Brinker are thinking of enlisting early while leaving him at Devon, injured. The purpose of his WWII is to keep the people who are young, like Finny, in their place and he feels this is happening to him. Finny is lying to himself and it might catch up to him. Maybe, later in the book, Finny will realize how crazy what he is.

Henry Bamford

(103-123) Assignment 7, question 4 Chris Bornhorst

4.) What do Gene’s observations about the changes in Finny reveal about Finny? About Gene? (109-114)

Gene notices Finny do some stuff that is very out of the ordinary once he comes back to Devon, which change both of them. Gene learns about how Finny has changed as a person during the time when he was gone. The observations that gene makes about Finny is that he is a little bit of an outsider in the social world. Finny is a little social awkward. Also, he stands in front of buildings and just stares up into the sky. He also said something to Gene. "... when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love" (Knowles, 111). This relates to Finny because he really loves sports. He likes athletics more than anyone, but when he got injured he couldn't play anymore, but that didn't stop him because he is still involved with it by helping Gene train for the Olympics.

This comment by Finny changed the way Gene looks at things because he seems to think that it's all about being the best at what your good at. He doesn't realize until now that it's about what you love, and what loves you back. Finny and Gene have changed a lot during the period when Finny was gone.

Assignment 6 question 5 Katie Massie

5.) How does Gene feel about war and enlisting in this reading (look closely at pages 100-102)?

At the end of our reading, Gene begins to discuss his feelings about the war and enlisting. He says that he was, “used to finding something deadly lurking in anything I wanted,” (Knowles 101). This explains a lot about Gene’s former love of his relationship with Finny. He says that if there isn’t something dangerous there, he will put it there himself. By the end of the page, he has decided to enlist for the war. At the beginning of the book, Gene did not seem like the kind to love danger. But now to the reader, this does not seem so unlikely. After all, we’ve seen him cause for his best friend to fall off a tree and shatter his leg, so Gene’s innocence, and victim position is diminished. Gene’s character has gotten shadier and shadier and more and more bold. The best line is, “It was a night made for hard thoughts”, (Knowles 101), because it shows Gene’s inner strength to sit alone with only himself and to face all his thoughts about something as terrifying as enlisting full-on. He knows that it’s dangerous, but he is used to loving dangerous things. Gene knows this isn’t something he is being pressured into doing, but something that he brings upon himself. He is used to doing dangerous things because of spending time with Finny for years. And he decides faces things immediately. He says, “I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life when I chose, and I chose now.” (Knowles 102). Gene brings a huge amount of courage up from inside himself, something that takes many people twice his age years to learn how to do.

Chapter 6, pg's 86-102, Question 1 by Lachlan McGrath

1.) Explore the significance/symbolism of the Nagaumsett. (You may have to refer to earlier readings to supplement your answer).

The significance of the Nagaumsett river is very subtle but quite defined. On page 86 Knowles says "I had never been in it before; it seemed appropriate that my baptism there had taken place on the first day of this winter session". This quote shows us that the first days of school without Finny will change Gene forever. This suggestion of "baptism" is a large contrast to the description of the Nagaumsett. Unlike the Devon river, The Nagaumsett required you to shower after going in it. This represents, to the responder, that Gene's purity and innocence is lost after Finny's tragic event. This is shown through the inpurity of the water. This theme is actually explained on the back of the book. It states that the incident "Banishes the innocence of these boys and there world". This now proves that Gene and his time at Devon will never be the same.

Assignment 6 pg. 86-102 Question 4-Justin Ma

Part of this reading focuses on Leper. How is he characterized? What do we learn about him? Provide some specific details from the reading to support your answer.

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Leper is characterized, through the words of Gene, as rather absent minded and one who is most often taken by surprise. He mentions Leper is often sketching during chapel, therefore for the most part not listening, and does not switch easily from one train of thought to another. Leper is rather curious and innocent for his age, finding interest in beavers and their dams while everyone else is working. From this chapter we learn that Leper does not appear to be one to take things for granted, and someone who likes to take things slow and enjoy himself. “They’re ruining skiing in this country, rope tows and chair lifts and all that stuff. You get carted up, and then you whizz down. You never get to see the trees or anything. Oh you see a lot of trees shoot by, but you never get to really look at trees, at a tree. I just like to go along and see what I’m passing and enjoy myself” (Knowles 95). This shows that he prefers slow hikes and treks instead of the thrill of speeding downhill, because he appreciates the beauty of nature and wishes to not miss any of it, and is even called a naturalist by Brinker. Leper enjoys himself just by looking at scenery, even if by himself, something you could call a gift that very few have. He also appears to be rather innocent for his age, seeming to be oblivious to even when others are teasing him, and continuing to openly express how interesting the beaver dams were. He acts younger than the other boys, and has his own list of priorities with looking for beaver dams higher than helping with the war, and often obtains a blank expression as if he lost interest. In this chapter it appears that Gene and Leper are growing apart as Gene has had to deal with a lot and has changed a good amount over the summer, while Leper does not seem to be maturing and is staying the same, leaving Gene and Leper heading in different directions and parting ways.

JJ Ma