A Separate Peace Literary Analysis

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In the classic coming-of-age novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles set in England during World War 2, Gene and Phineas (also known as Finny) are very different which leads to Gene becoming jealous and paranoid while ultimately causes him to commit a violent act. The two boys are 16-year-old roommates at a Devon boarding school. Finny’s natural confidence and charisma attract people to him. His charm makes his roommate feel paranoid, and at one point suspicious of sabotage. As revenge, Gene permanently injures Finny. First and foremost, the two cohabitants are incredibly divergent. Finny is incredibly convincing, to the point where his voice is the equivalent of a “hypnotist’s eyes” (6). He is also alluring, causing him to have a posse the
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