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?