Adaptation and Evolution

During the Imperialistic era in India, Gandhi once said, "In order for things to change, you have to change. We can’t change others; we can only change ourselves. However, when we change, it changes everything. And in doing so, we truly can be the change we want to see in the world." The words of Mahatma Gandhi were inspirational and revolutionary, stating that personal change is necessary to survival in the modern world. In the novel, A Separate Peace, John Knowles similarly exhibits that personal change is essential to survival.
Through Leper’s experiences throughout the novel, Knowles demonstrates how personal change is a necessity to survival. When Gene visits Leper in Vermont, Gene becomes quickly informed that Leper has lost his mind and has left the army. Gene thinks to himself, "I didn't care what I said to him now; it was myself I was worried about. For if Leper was psycho it was the army which had done it to him…" (135). Prior to Leper’s collapse of his mind, Leper...