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).