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A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a novel about a boy named Gene Forrester and his trials and tribulations while attending Devon School for Boys in New Hampshire. It is set in the time period of World War 2; therefore the book is reminiscent of the war. There are many symbols in the novel that represents aspects of the war and of mankind itself. The three connected symbols in A Separate Peace reinforce the innocence and evil of the main characters, Finny and Gene.
Beside the Devon School flow two rivers on opposite sides of the school, the Naguamsett and the Devon. The Devon provides entertainment and happiness for Gene and Finny as they jump from the tree into the river and hold initiations for the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session. Finny, Gene, and their friends use the Devon's warm water to play in during the carefree summer session. The Devon brings out Finny's carefree character and personality when he jumps from the limbs of the tree. Not one Upper M...

Posted by: Alyscia Yellowman

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