A Separate Peace Pre-Reading Ch

A Separate Peace – Pre-reading Ch. 3

Before you read: Although Gene does not want to attend meetings of the “Super Suicide Society,” he attends the meetings, stating, “Otherwise, I would have lost face with Phineas, and that would have been unthinkable.”  What does this tell us about Gene’s attitude towards Phineas?  How important is Phineas to Gene’s self-identity? (What role does Phineas play in Gene’s perception of himself?)

While you read: Pay attention to  Finny’s personal rules.  The effect of the war on the seniors.  Gene’s description of Finny’s physical ability.  Gene’s view of America and the war.  Finny’s openness/honesty.

Discussion Questions:  Gene describes Finny’s mind as being the “opposite” of his. What does he mean by this?  What is significant about naming the game “Blitzball”? What makes Finny so good at the game?  Why doesn’t Finny want Gene to tell people about what happened at the pool?  Is Gene honest when he tells Finny that Finny is “Too good to be true.”?  How is Finny emotionally stronger than Gene?

Vocabulary:  Venerable  Anarchy  Insidious  Perilous  Cordial  Blitzkrieg

A Separate Peace – Pre-reading Ch. 3

Before you read: Although Gene does not want to attend meetings of the “Super Suicide Society,” he attends the meetings, stating, “Otherwise, I would have lost face with Phineas, and that would have been unthinkable.”  What does this tell us about Gene’s attitude towards Phineas?  How important is Phineas to Gene’s self-identity? (What role does Phineas play in Gene’s perception of himself?)

While you read: Pay attention to  Finny’s personal rules.  The effect of the war on the seniors.  Gene’s description of Finny’s physical ability.  Gene’s view of America and the war.  Finny’s openness/honesty.

Discussion Questions:  Gene describes Finny’s mind as being the “opposite” of his. What does he mean by this?  What is significant about naming the game “Blitzball”? What makes Finny so good at the game?  Why doesn’t Finny want Gene to tell people about what happened at the pool?  Is Gene honest when he tells Finny that Finny is “Too good to be true.”?  How is Finny emotionally stronger than Gene?

Vocabulary:  Venerable  Anarchy  Insidious  Perilous  Cordial  Blitzkrieg