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A separate Peace

Evil lies at the core of all human beings; it is our ability to control it that will allow us to arrive at peace. Gene continuously acts on premeditated cruelty throughout the novel. During the climax, Gene intentionally injures his “best” friend by “jouncing the limb” (p.52), in order to punish Finny for distracting him from his studies. Gene, afraid of Finny’s abilities, confidence, and care-free personality, knowingly hurts his friend, by acting out of envy. His admiration for Finny is clear, as he is always describing Finny as one who “combine[s] a calm ignorance of the rules with a winning urge to be good” (pg.16). Gene goes on to personify his friend as an indestructible character. Therefore, his other motive to harm Finny was to see whether “Invincible Finny” would actually fall. According to Gene, Finny is true, sincere, honest, and lighthearted, but overall, innocent, which is what Gene has always been striving to be. In summation, this inhumane act Gene part...

Posted by: Sheryl Hogges

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