"It was his wildest demonstration of himself, of himself in the kind of world he loved; it was his choreography of peace" (136).
Phineas simply enjoys life. He doesn't over analyze things or make a big fuss about anything. Phineas actually lives his life. He's not afraid to ditch class or even start an entire carnival. Gene shows admiration for this quality in Phineas. Finny is carefree and fun. Gene can be paranoid at times and a little insecure. Although he is too busy observing and not enjoying, Gene's really stepped it up from being a jealous friend in the beginning of the book. He shows his caring side towards Phineas and thoughtfulness towards Leper. Nobody seems to like Leper, but Gene appreciates Leper's love for nature. Gene may over analyze a lot, but it's not always a bad thing. He notices and appreciates the qualities others have, even if it's through jealousy. For example, he recognizes Phineas' talents as an athlete, Brinker's butt, and recently, Leper's love for nature. Gene may actually be some what of a nice guy. I'm beginning to like his character now. He is a lot less judgemental now. There are a few instances where he makes an assumption, but we can't expect him to change immediately.
At the end of this chapter, Phineas' face goes from being uproarious to shocked. Is this because Leper had signed the letter to Gene as "YOUR BEST FRIEND" or was in the general shock that any other person would have felt reading that letter?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.8
"Now, in this winter of snow and crutches with Phineas, I began to know that each morning reasserted the problems of the night before, that sleep suspended all but changed nothing" (105-106).
"Since so much of learning anything depends on the atmosphere in which it is taught, Finny and I, to our joint double amazement, began to make flashing progress where we had been bumblers before" (119).
"When you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love" (111).
Gene is still stupid, but he is getting better. With Phineas back, Gene automatically assumes that Phineas will bring back the memories of the past summer he is trying to forget and everything will just suck again. Who doesn't know that a person should never ASSUME anything? Gene ends up enjoying the time with Phineas and admits that they made "flashing progress" in the areas where each of them struggled. Gene and Phineas worked together and helped one another acheive. Phineas also solved Gene's question that he always wondered. Why does Phineas keep coming back to him? Phineas simply feels that when a person really loves something, then it will love that person back in whatever way it may be. In this case, Phineas really loves Gene. Their friendship means the world to him and of course, he thinks Gene feels the same way. Gene is Phineas' best friend and thinks nothing less of him. It's such a shame to know that Gene doesn't feel the same way about Phineas.
Will Gene let go of his envy toward Phineas or will it grow bigger?
"Since so much of learning anything depends on the atmosphere in which it is taught, Finny and I, to our joint double amazement, began to make flashing progress where we had been bumblers before" (119).
"When you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love" (111).
Gene is still stupid, but he is getting better. With Phineas back, Gene automatically assumes that Phineas will bring back the memories of the past summer he is trying to forget and everything will just suck again. Who doesn't know that a person should never ASSUME anything? Gene ends up enjoying the time with Phineas and admits that they made "flashing progress" in the areas where each of them struggled. Gene and Phineas worked together and helped one another acheive. Phineas also solved Gene's question that he always wondered. Why does Phineas keep coming back to him? Phineas simply feels that when a person really loves something, then it will love that person back in whatever way it may be. In this case, Phineas really loves Gene. Their friendship means the world to him and of course, he thinks Gene feels the same way. Gene is Phineas' best friend and thinks nothing less of him. It's such a shame to know that Gene doesn't feel the same way about Phineas.
Will Gene let go of his envy toward Phineas or will it grow bigger?
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.7
"His glance flickered out at me from his defeat, and I saw to my surprise that I had, by making a little fun of him, brought upon myself his unmixed hatred. For my escape this was a price I was willing to pay" (91).
Gene is an idiot. He is willing to do anything to get people to like him even to the point of hurting others. Does Gene honestly think he is going to get somewhere by doing this? Brinker is coming into Devon acting like he owns the place and clearly egging Gene on. Gene is actually falling for his nonsense. Gene is not a leader. He is an unwise follower. I thought Gene would have changed by now, but clearly he is just making the situation worse. When Phineas comes back to Devon, Phineas will be in for a surprise. I wish Finny wasn't so kind. His kindness and loyalty is very genuine, but now it is beginning to piss me off. Phineas needs to realize Gene is consistently stabbing him in the back. It's not fair to Phineas! Gene has no right to be acting like this. Does he not understand the fact that he almost killed Phineas! Clearly it doesn't matter to him. That's why he's acting like a total imbecile lying about what he did to Phineas. He shouldn't be proud of that! Brinker has no right to even start rumors at Devon and Gene is an asshole. Phineas needs to get a reality check and find some real friends. It's really sad to see what's going on at Devon.
Will Gene ever change for better?
Gene is an idiot. He is willing to do anything to get people to like him even to the point of hurting others. Does Gene honestly think he is going to get somewhere by doing this? Brinker is coming into Devon acting like he owns the place and clearly egging Gene on. Gene is actually falling for his nonsense. Gene is not a leader. He is an unwise follower. I thought Gene would have changed by now, but clearly he is just making the situation worse. When Phineas comes back to Devon, Phineas will be in for a surprise. I wish Finny wasn't so kind. His kindness and loyalty is very genuine, but now it is beginning to piss me off. Phineas needs to realize Gene is consistently stabbing him in the back. It's not fair to Phineas! Gene has no right to be acting like this. Does he not understand the fact that he almost killed Phineas! Clearly it doesn't matter to him. That's why he's acting like a total imbecile lying about what he did to Phineas. He shouldn't be proud of that! Brinker has no right to even start rumors at Devon and Gene is an asshole. Phineas needs to get a reality check and find some real friends. It's really sad to see what's going on at Devon.
Will Gene ever change for better?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.6
"It was only that he was so ignorant, that he knew nothing of the gypsy summer, nothing of the loss I was fighting to endure" (79).
'For I wanted no more of sports. They were barred from me, as though when Dr. Stanpole said, "Sports are finished" he had been speaking of me' (84).
"I didn't think you would. Roommates are roommates. Even if they do have an occasional fight" (83).
Gene just doesn't get it! Gene's "best" friend was the one that fell off a tree, which was caused by him. Why the hell would Gene be fighting with a loss? He isn't the one who is passionate about sports, so he has no right to be acting like a drama queen. If Phineas is the one who has fallen, then it has no relevence for Gene to feel as though he is also "finished" from playing sports. He's not even playing on a sports team. The funny thing about that is the fact that Gene had said in a previous chapter that he is "a pretty good athlete" (55). If Gene is "a pretty good athlete" then why isn't he playing sports? His legs are both working well and he has not fallen off any trees, so there is no need for him to feel that way. Yes, it's very possible that Gene feels guilty when he thinks of playing sports because Phineas is devoted to them and is not able to, but that is still not a good enough excuse. Poor Phineas makes his long-distance call to hear Gene lying about how he made sure nobody took Finny's place as his roommate. Phineas is such a sweet kid and does not deserve a friend like Gene. Phineas considers this whole catastrophe as a simple fight and is acting like his normal self. The least Gene can do is change his selfish ways after making his friend fall off a tree. Gene is one sad story.
Is Gene still jealous of Phineas?
'For I wanted no more of sports. They were barred from me, as though when Dr. Stanpole said, "Sports are finished" he had been speaking of me' (84).
"I didn't think you would. Roommates are roommates. Even if they do have an occasional fight" (83).
Gene just doesn't get it! Gene's "best" friend was the one that fell off a tree, which was caused by him. Why the hell would Gene be fighting with a loss? He isn't the one who is passionate about sports, so he has no right to be acting like a drama queen. If Phineas is the one who has fallen, then it has no relevence for Gene to feel as though he is also "finished" from playing sports. He's not even playing on a sports team. The funny thing about that is the fact that Gene had said in a previous chapter that he is "a pretty good athlete" (55). If Gene is "a pretty good athlete" then why isn't he playing sports? His legs are both working well and he has not fallen off any trees, so there is no need for him to feel that way. Yes, it's very possible that Gene feels guilty when he thinks of playing sports because Phineas is devoted to them and is not able to, but that is still not a good enough excuse. Poor Phineas makes his long-distance call to hear Gene lying about how he made sure nobody took Finny's place as his roommate. Phineas is such a sweet kid and does not deserve a friend like Gene. Phineas considers this whole catastrophe as a simple fight and is acting like his normal self. The least Gene can do is change his selfish ways after making his friend fall off a tree. Gene is one sad story.
Is Gene still jealous of Phineas?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.5
"Phineas would say nothing behind my back; he would accuse me, face to face" (64).
Gene still does not get the concept of friendship or simply having a best friend. He over analyzes everything and makes it seem like everybody is out to get him. His poor friend will never be able to play sports and Gene is more concerned how Phineas wants to confront him for his stupidity! Gene should feel ashamed of himself for even thinking and wanting to do what he did to Phineas. This all happened thanks to Gene's wonderful jealousy over Phineas. Who does Gene think he is? He should focus on learning to become a good friend versus ruining a friendship that could never be replaced. Phineas is a true friend; somebody who is unique and caring. Gene needs to accept their differences and be happy for Phineas. He should not look like a jealous fool, having almost killed Phineas. Gene was lucky that Phineas only hurt his leg. A lot more could have happened to him. This should be Gene's initiative to fix himself up, but that does not seem to be forthcoming.
Does Gene really think he can make it up to Phineas and expect to be forgiven?
Gene still does not get the concept of friendship or simply having a best friend. He over analyzes everything and makes it seem like everybody is out to get him. His poor friend will never be able to play sports and Gene is more concerned how Phineas wants to confront him for his stupidity! Gene should feel ashamed of himself for even thinking and wanting to do what he did to Phineas. This all happened thanks to Gene's wonderful jealousy over Phineas. Who does Gene think he is? He should focus on learning to become a good friend versus ruining a friendship that could never be replaced. Phineas is a true friend; somebody who is unique and caring. Gene needs to accept their differences and be happy for Phineas. He should not look like a jealous fool, having almost killed Phineas. Gene was lucky that Phineas only hurt his leg. A lot more could have happened to him. This should be Gene's initiative to fix himself up, but that does not seem to be forthcoming.
Does Gene really think he can make it up to Phineas and expect to be forgiven?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.4
"Finny had deliberately set out to wreck my studies. That explained blitzball, that explained the nightly meetings of the Super Suicide Society, that explained his insistence that I share all his diversions. It was all cold trickery, it was all calculated, it was all enmity" (53).
"Listen, I could study forever and I'd never break C. But it's different for you, you're good. You really are. If I had a brain like that, I'd-I'd have my head cut open so people could look at it" (58).
"It wasn't my neck, but my understanding which was menaced. He had never been jealous of me for a second. Now I knew that there never was and never could have been any rivalry between us. I was not of the same quality as he" (59).
Throughout this chapter, Gene goes through a series of emotions towards Phineas. An assumption he decides to make is how Phineas apparently wants to bring Gene down by getting him to go places and do things with him. Gene is not even considering the fact that maybe this is something "best" friends do. Then Gene begins to feel that if he studies harder, he will come out on top and ahead of Phineas. Gene is satisfied knowing this and tries to make himself seem better than everybody else. Gene is letting his jealousy towards Phineas take over the relationship Gene has with him. Towards the end of the chapter, Gene finally erupts at Phineas. Phineas on the other hand does not understand the need for an eruption. He goes ahead and astonishes Gene as he says the second quote. Phineas admires Gene for his determination to achieve the valedictorian position and the care for his grades. Phineas even suggests that Gene should stay in their dorm, so he can study. He does not want to compete with Gene nor does he plan on having anything to do with it. At the end, Gene realizes the truth he never wanted to believe in the first place. Phineas is indeed a genuine friend, who does not believe in competition or anything of that sort. Gene has gotten a reality check, but not one that helps the situation. This is a turning point for Gene. He could go the root of hatred and envy or the root of simply being happy and proud of his "best" friend. Gene needs to decide what he wants to do with this or else he is leading a false friendship, which is not fair to Phineas in any circumstance.
When Phineas falls off the tree and into the river bank, does Gene have the slightest feeling of guilt towards all the mean things he said about Phineas?
"Listen, I could study forever and I'd never break C. But it's different for you, you're good. You really are. If I had a brain like that, I'd-I'd have my head cut open so people could look at it" (58).
"It wasn't my neck, but my understanding which was menaced. He had never been jealous of me for a second. Now I knew that there never was and never could have been any rivalry between us. I was not of the same quality as he" (59).
Throughout this chapter, Gene goes through a series of emotions towards Phineas. An assumption he decides to make is how Phineas apparently wants to bring Gene down by getting him to go places and do things with him. Gene is not even considering the fact that maybe this is something "best" friends do. Then Gene begins to feel that if he studies harder, he will come out on top and ahead of Phineas. Gene is satisfied knowing this and tries to make himself seem better than everybody else. Gene is letting his jealousy towards Phineas take over the relationship Gene has with him. Towards the end of the chapter, Gene finally erupts at Phineas. Phineas on the other hand does not understand the need for an eruption. He goes ahead and astonishes Gene as he says the second quote. Phineas admires Gene for his determination to achieve the valedictorian position and the care for his grades. Phineas even suggests that Gene should stay in their dorm, so he can study. He does not want to compete with Gene nor does he plan on having anything to do with it. At the end, Gene realizes the truth he never wanted to believe in the first place. Phineas is indeed a genuine friend, who does not believe in competition or anything of that sort. Gene has gotten a reality check, but not one that helps the situation. This is a turning point for Gene. He could go the root of hatred and envy or the root of simply being happy and proud of his "best" friend. Gene needs to decide what he wants to do with this or else he is leading a false friendship, which is not fair to Phineas in any circumstance.
When Phineas falls off the tree and into the river bank, does Gene have the slightest feeling of guilt towards all the mean things he said about Phineas?
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.2 & Ch.3
Chapter 2:
"This time he wasn't going to get away with it. I could feel myself becoming unexpectedly excited at that" (27).
"Phineas was going to get away with even this" (28).
"I felt a sudden stab of disappointment. That was because I just wanted to see more excitement; that must have been it" (28).
Contradicting Quote:
"He got away with everything because of his extraordinary kind of person he was. It was quite a compliment to me, as a matter of fact, to have such a person choose me for his best friend" (29).
Gene actually wants to see his best friend get into trouble. Yes, Gene has a strong admiration for Phineas; yet he wanted to see him get caught? Is that really something your "best" friend would wish to happen to you? In the next two quotes after that, Gene feels disappointed when Phineas does not get into trouble. Gene's excuse was that he "wanted to see more excitement", but clearly we can tell he would have been very satisfied if Phineas was sent to the truant's corner. The last quote I choice was a quote I felt contradicted how Gene felt towards Phineas. In this quote, he goes on to say how amazing Phineas is and how lucky he is to have Phineas for a best friend. With all that said, Gene had wanted something bad to happen to Phineas. What kind of friendship is that? Gene could easily be accused of being jealous of his "best" friend.
Is Gene dependent on Phineas?
Chapter 3:
'I went along; I never missed a meeting. At that time it would never have occurred to me to say, "I don't feel like it tonight." which was the plain truth every night' (34).
Gene acts as though he has no choice but to listen and follow Phineas. Gene can do whatever he wants, so it is not right of him to be acting in such a snobbish manner. If you don't feel like going to the meetings, then don't go! Phineas is a genuine, fun-loving person. He has not shown any dislike towards somebody nor has he caused anybody harm. The attention Phineas attracts is bugging Gene more and more. If Gene doesn't decide to tell his "best" friend the "truth", then there will be a lot more other things Gene will hold back from telling Phineas. This could really hurt his relationship with Phineas and Gene is not realizing that. All he wants is Phineas to suffer and look like the better half of the two for once. It is better to be frank and keep an honest relationship rather than have it drag on with phony lies.
When will Gene break?
"This time he wasn't going to get away with it. I could feel myself becoming unexpectedly excited at that" (27).
"Phineas was going to get away with even this" (28).
"I felt a sudden stab of disappointment. That was because I just wanted to see more excitement; that must have been it" (28).
Contradicting Quote:
"He got away with everything because of his extraordinary kind of person he was. It was quite a compliment to me, as a matter of fact, to have such a person choose me for his best friend" (29).
Gene actually wants to see his best friend get into trouble. Yes, Gene has a strong admiration for Phineas; yet he wanted to see him get caught? Is that really something your "best" friend would wish to happen to you? In the next two quotes after that, Gene feels disappointed when Phineas does not get into trouble. Gene's excuse was that he "wanted to see more excitement", but clearly we can tell he would have been very satisfied if Phineas was sent to the truant's corner. The last quote I choice was a quote I felt contradicted how Gene felt towards Phineas. In this quote, he goes on to say how amazing Phineas is and how lucky he is to have Phineas for a best friend. With all that said, Gene had wanted something bad to happen to Phineas. What kind of friendship is that? Gene could easily be accused of being jealous of his "best" friend.
Is Gene dependent on Phineas?
Chapter 3:
'I went along; I never missed a meeting. At that time it would never have occurred to me to say, "I don't feel like it tonight." which was the plain truth every night' (34).
Gene acts as though he has no choice but to listen and follow Phineas. Gene can do whatever he wants, so it is not right of him to be acting in such a snobbish manner. If you don't feel like going to the meetings, then don't go! Phineas is a genuine, fun-loving person. He has not shown any dislike towards somebody nor has he caused anybody harm. The attention Phineas attracts is bugging Gene more and more. If Gene doesn't decide to tell his "best" friend the "truth", then there will be a lot more other things Gene will hold back from telling Phineas. This could really hurt his relationship with Phineas and Gene is not realizing that. All he wants is Phineas to suffer and look like the better half of the two for once. It is better to be frank and keep an honest relationship rather than have it drag on with phony lies.
When will Gene break?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Seperate Peace Ch.1
"I felt fear's echo, and along with that I felt the unhinged, uncontrollable joy which had been its accompaniment and opposite face, joy which had broken out sometimes in those days like the Northern Lights across a black sky" (10).
This quote tells the audience what the narrator is feeling as he walks towards another one of his childhood memories at the Devon School. His days at the boarding school had fear looming among the actions his friends and himself did. There was a strong sensation of joy that would evolve from those actions. The same actions that caused fear to lurk around Gene and his companions. Although the narrator sensed this fear as he committed foolish acts, he felt a great deal of joy committing them with his friends. The enjoyment that overpowered the fear. Gene would feel a strong sense of fear, yet at the same time a strong sense of enjoyment.
Will Gene's relationship with Phineas change?
Gene (the narrator):
- Fearful
- Insecure
- Thoughtful
- Conscientious
- Careful
Quotes: "I didn't entirely like this glossy new surface, because it made the school look like a museum, and that's exactly what it was to me, and what I did not want it to be" (1).
"There was nothing else to notice; they of course were the same stairs I had walked up and down at least once every day of my Devon life. They were the same as ever" (11).
Phineas:
- Fearless
- Mischievous
- Athletic
- Reckless
- Daring
- Loyal
Quotes: "He of course saw nothing the slightest bit intimidating about it. He wouldn't, or wouldn't admit it if he did. Not Phineas" (14).
"He opened his green eyes wider and gave us his maniac look, and only the smirk on his wide mouth with its droll, slightly protruding upper lip reassured us that he wasn't completely goofy" (14).
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