Symbols In John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

Words: 441

Pages: 2

Symbols are terms used throughout a piece of writing to help construct an overall idea. In relation, symbols can be used to produce the thematic purpose of the writing. John Knowles once said, “Looking back, I think we were all quite mature, surprisingly responsible. In earlier wars, boys of our age had just gone off to raise hell or enlist or both, but we stayed dutifully at our desks doing homework.” Knowles brings out the idea of how different the lives of teenaged boys were then compared to now as it is associated with the novel. In the bestseller, A Separate Peace, John Knowles utilizes the rivers, the tree, and the seasons to demonstrate that all humans must encounter and conquer an internal war during the process of maturity.

Show More

Summary Of John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

with the external world presents a conflict with a person’s cherished inner world." This idea of separate internal and external worlds was also an underlying theme in John Knowles novel, A Separate Peace. In the story, Gene struggled with accepting his "external world", which for him was adulthood, and leaving behind adolescence at Devon. The two rivers and the change of seasons at Devon are symbols of the divide between innocent adolescence and harsh adulthood for Gene and Finny. In the same way…

Words 773 - Pages 4

An Analysis Of John Knowles A Separate Peace

of A Separate Peace A Separate Peace is a heartfelt novel about the main character, Gene, a troubled young man who can't function without his best friend Finny's guidance. Set in 1960’s, New Hampshire, John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace was challenged in many high schools throughout the United States due to complaints on vulgar language, negative attitudes expressed by teenagers, and homosexual overtones. Although the novel is controversial, the literary devices used in A Separate Peace—symbolism…

Words 686 - Pages 3

Symbolism In John Knowle's A Separate Peace

John Knowle’s A Separate Peace is a novel surrounded by symbolism. Two of these symbols are the Devon and the Naguamsett Rivers. These two rivers contrast each other physically and metaphorically. The main protagonist and narrator of Knowle’s novel is Gene. The book takes place mostly at the campus of Devon School in 1942. At one point in the novel, Gene is part of a management crew for the school rowing team. Another member of the team calls Gene a “...maimed son-of-a-bitch...” (Knowles 79), and…

Words 299 - Pages 2

A Separate Peace Literary Analysis

A Separate Peace is a powerful book written by John Knowles that brings up an obstacle must face, the transition from childhood to adulthood. Knowles uses a mixture of characters, symbols, and literary devices to show Gene’s change throughout the book. The book starts with a carefree summer session and ends with Gene heading to war. By using the symbolism of the marble stairs and other things he is able to show how sometimes in order to move on to adulthood, people have to let go of their childhood…

Words 264 - Pages 2

A Separate Peace Reflection

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a novel that displays the concept of adolescence and the mundane outcome where we might transform ourselves to someone entirely different from what we truly are based on our actions. The story takes place during the time of World War I when males were enlisted along with tensions surrounding the place, anxious of who was going to get affected and who wasn’t. Interactions between the boys at Devon establish their character and their bonds or relationships with each…

Words 577 - Pages 3

Foil Characters In A Separate Peace

Foil Characters in A Separate Peace In his bildungsroman A Separate Peace, John Knowles presents two completely different characters, Gene and Finny, and their complicated "friendship", which evolves throughout the novel. Gene and Finny work as a foil because they have completely different outlooks on life. Knowles' purpose is to show the conflicts between Gene and Finny in order to give a symbolic meaning to war and peace. The intended audience for this novel is adolescents because the tone is…

Words 1309 - Pages 6

World War Ii and Phineas Essay

5.2.8 Practice: Importance of setting The story A Separate Peace by John Knowles was written In the late 1950s. Fifteen years after graduation, Gene Forrester returns to Devon, an elite prep school in New Hampshire. Walking through the campus in the cold November mist, Gene remembers his experiences at Devon during World War II, especially the Summer Session of 1942, when he was 16 years old. Throughout this story the author uses the setting to help the reader anticipate events that happen.…

Words 828 - Pages 4

Inner Conflict In John Knowles A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace: Inner Conflict John Knowles utilizes different techniques and devices to create many themes in the book A Separate Peace, but the one that stands out the most is inner conflict. This theme really stands out in the characters Gene. Gene is struggling to maintain good grades while being best friends with Finny which makes Gene think that Finny is out to get him, so that Finny can be better than Gene. Gene battles with himself to be like Finny, and figures out how to make Finny…

Words 979 - Pages 4

Figurative Language In A Separate Peace

child! To the waters and the wild/With a faery, hand in hand, for the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand” (Y.B Yeats). Yeats writes a rather beautiful piece on a bleak topic - the loss of innocence. Likewise, throughout John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, losing one’s innocence is openly discussed between the characters and is hinted at constantly through the many situations the author creates within the book. The students at Devon are burdened with the task of growing out of adolescence…

Words 1324 - Pages 6

A Separate Peace Essay

A SEPARATE PEACE By John Knowles Background  The novel is set at Devon, a private boarding school in New Hampshire, during World War II. The novel begins with the main characters, Gene and Finny, at Devon for a summer session. The school hopes that this session will allow students to receive a diploma before they are drafted on their 18th birthday. Gene and Finny are roommates and friends at the school. Finny is a natural athlete who also acts as a leader for the other boys. Gene, however, is…

Words 2153 - Pages 9