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.
It is true, Elianna, that Leper makes Finny realize that the war is real, but Leper wasn't only proof, he also gave him the courage to accept he was lying to himself about the war's existence. As Finny says, " Oh I guess I always knew, but I didn't have to admit it" (Knowles 163). Finny had started to accept the war as real even before Leper came to school, as when Brinker and Gene were talking about to "benched" soldiers in their class and Gene said the war wasn't real for Finny, he, " He brought his wide-eyes up, his grin flashed and faded, and then he murmured, 'Sure. There isn't any war" (Knowles 158). His lack of enthusiasm was uncharacteristic and showed that he was beginning to be reluctant about his statements. Leper helps Finny accept that there is a war and that he lied to himself about it.
ReplyDeleteAll of this information is true. Finny does finally have the realness of the war hammered home to him because of Leper returning, and he and Gene have a good laugh about it. But although Gene laughs along with Finny, he knows it spells trouble. Leper knows exactly what happened at the tree, and since he already confronted Gene, he's afraid that Leper will tell Finny. His only hope is that since he's seen as crazy, no one will take him seriously
ReplyDeleteEliana I agree with what you explained. And Max I agree that everyone is laughing along while Gene is going along with it but nervous about the power that Leper has to do to him. Finny lied for Gene to protect him but after Leper and Gene's unfortunate meeting in Vermont he might not do the same. So Gene was relying on Leper for whether he will be innocent or guilty.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you wrote Elianna. I think that if Gene had done some things differently earlier than maybe Finny wouldn't have died. If Gene had been nicer and more understanding when he went to Leper's house, maybe Leper wouldn't have accused him of jouncing the limb. Also, if Gene had just told Finny the truth, even if it ment their friendship would end, than everything probably would've been fine for Finny. Gene really messed up big time.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said here. And I also agree with Zeke that if Gene had acted differently towards Finny and done some stuff differently then Finny would not be dead. He would also be playing sports and there wouldn't be all of this drama. Leper just overreacted against Gene when he came to his house. It's ridiculous what Leper did, and that made him angry at Gene.
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