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