Name _____________________________________
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Chapter 1
1. Why had Gene returned to Devon?
2. What two places does Gene want to visit?
3. Gene has changed; the tree has changed. What does this signify?
4. Gene begins to see Finny as some kind of “half-god” to be worshipped. Why does this happen?
5. How does Finny gain his “power and influence” over people?
6. Why do they jump from the tree?
7. Gene had the sensation that he was “throwing his life away” when he jumps from the tree. What does
the jump signify to him?
8. Part of Finny’s nature is reversals. Find one example in chapter 1.
9. What is Finny’s new club and what are its rules?
Chapter 2
1. This chapter is devoted to establishing Phineas’ character. Briefly state what Finny’s personality is like
and give examples to prove it (at least three traits and examples).
2. Why is Gene sometimes jealous of Finny?
3. Give one example that shows the opposing natures of Gene and Finny.
Chapter 3
1. Why does Finny invent Blitzball? Why was it given the name Blitzball?
2. “We’re all enemies…we can and will turn on each other all the time.” How does this relate to the social
conditions of the setting?
3. Why does Gene continue to jump from the tree even though he doesn’t want to?
4. This chapter is the beginning of Gene’s self-analysis and recognition of the influence Finny has on him.
How does Phineas paradoxically practically save and lose Gene’s life for him?
5. Note: The importance of water: jumping in the river; blitzball was played by the river; swimming
episode in the pool; the trip to the ocean. After each of these events, Gene learns more about the nature
of Finny. Choose one episode and explain something Gene has learned.
6. Why are people attracted to Phineas? Would you like to have Phineas as a friend? Explain.
Chapter 4
1. Write down the reference to death in the first two paragraphs.
2. Why does Gene want to be head of class?
3. Gene thinks Finny deliberately set out to wreck his studies. Is this true? How do you know?
4. What parallel has Finny drawn between his sports ability and Gene’s studying?
5. After their argument, what does Gene realize about Finny? (very important)
6. a) What happens at the end of the chapter?
b) What similarity do you see between this and what happened at the end of Chapter 2.
Chapter 5
1. Why does Gene put on Finny’s clothes?
2. Why does Finny refuse to believe Gene’s confession?
3. How do YOU feel about Gene at this point? Explain.
Chapter 6
1. Why does Gene become assistant crew manager?
2. Why did Phineas call Gene?
3.
“…trace of doubt, “I had just a second when I wondered.” Finny is really talking about Gene getting a
new roommate. What else is implied?
4.
“…this must have been my purpose from the first: to become a part of Phineas,” Give an example from
any chapter to show how Gene had tried to become part of Finny.
5. How did fall change Devon? When did “fall” really begin (symbolically)?
Chapter 7
1. How does Gene feel when Brinker jokingly accuses him of causing Finny’s accident?
2. Example of ________________________ Irony: the reader knows Brinker’s accusation is true, but
Brinker only half suspects.
3. What is the importance of the mock trial in the Butt Room?
Note: “In our freedom of democracy, even fighting for its life, the truth will out.” Democracy implies or has
the connotation of loyalty and brotherhood. Gene has violated these qualities.
4. Brinker announces as they enter the Butt Room, “Here’s your prisoner, gentlemen.” In what way is
Gene his own prisoner?
5. How does Gene get out of the situation?
6. State the imagery used to compare war to the snowfall.
7. Why does Gene consider enlisting? How does Leper contrast with Brinker?
Note:. “But I was used to finding something deadly in things that attracted me: there was always something
deadly lurking in anything I wanted, I loved, and if it wasn’t there…then I put it there myself.”
8. How does the above quote relate to Finny?
Chapter 8
1. After Finny returns from Boston, what point do they argue about? What does this show about Gene?
Note: This is the first objective and correct criticism of Finny. Gene had begun to develop a sense of values
independent of those advocated by Finny. Gene is becoming more of an individual and less of an extension of
Finny. With Finny’s return, Gene will again become a part of him.
2. How does Gene become a “crutch” for Finny?
3. How does Finny react when he finds out that Gene had considered enlisting? How does Finny feel about
the war? Why?
4. What is Finny’s theory about war (its reality)?
Note: Gene does not accept Finny’s theory, but when Finny says he knows about the “war joke,” Gene can
no longer oppose him; Finny’s suffering is Gene’s fault. Gene’s guilt leads him to doing 30 chin ups- a feat
imitating something Finny would do.
5. What “secret” does Finny disclose to Gene?
6. Describe how Gene feels about himself about Finny after he has run around the
“Tree Course.”
Chapter 9
1. What causes Leper to enlist? What fantasies do the others have about his army career?
2. Why did Finny draw Gene “increasingly away from the Butt Room crowd”?
Note: “I did not know everything there was to know about myself…I wondered whether the still hidden
parts of myself might contain the sad sack, the outcast or the coward.”
3. What does the above quote reveal about Gene’s knowledge of his own personality?
4. Briefly describe the winter carnival? Why did Finny organize the “traditional” winter carnival? Why
was this perfect for Finny?
Chapter 10
1. Explain what happened to Leper. What is your reaction to Leper’s problem?
2. How does Gene react to Leper’s “problems”? Why? How do you feel about
Gene’s reactions? Explain.
Note: Leper’s observation of Gene. “You always were a savage underneath. I always
knew that only I never admitted it.” Is this accurate? Prove it.
3. What savage thing does Gene do to Leper? How is this similar to jouncing the tree limb?
4. Why does Gene run from Leper at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 11
1. Gene refuses to lie or mislead people about Leper. What does this show about his character?
2. When Brinker says Finny is out of the war, Gene denies it though Finny admits it. What does this
reversal on Gene’s part indicate?
3. Who instigates (starts) the investigation into Finny’s accident? Why?
4. What prompted Finny to admit the war was real?
5. Where is the trial scene held?
6. How do Finny and Gene react when they find out the purpose of the occasion?
7. Why does Finny say Gene was at the bottom of the tree?
8. What does Gene fear when they send for Leper?
9. Explain Finny’s reaction at the end of the chapter?
10. What is the quote above the door of the First Building and what is its significance?
Chapter 12
1. What happens when Gene climbs up the outside window to look at Finny?
2. Why does Gene return to places he and Finny had experienced together?
3. When they talk about the accident, what does Finny say?
4. What happens to Finny at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 13
1. How does Gene evaluate his past experiences?
2.
“… my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at school: I killed
my enemy there. What does Gene mean by this?
3. What is the purpose of Introducing Brinker’s dad into the story?
Symbols:
Rivers -
Summer/Winter sessions
Tree-
Maginot Line -
ALLEGORY:
Gene-
Finny -
Brinker -
Leper -
Archetypes:
The Fall -
Water -
The Task -
The Initiation -
The Unhealable Wound -
The Ritual -
The Outcast -
THEME:
Social conditions affect our perceptions, our actions, and our relationships.
And…
And…