<p> A Separate Peace by John Knowles</p><p>Directions: Answer each of the following questions independently and thoroughly, and hand them in by Monday, November 25. I will NOT accept late work for this assignment.</p><p>1. Compare and contrast the personalities and characters of Finny and Gene.</p><p>2. On the beach, Finny calls Gene his "best pal," but Gene cannot respond in the same way. How is Finny a "best pal" to Gene? How is Gene not a "best pal" to Finny? Do the friends' feelings about each other change as the novel progresses?</p><p>3. The tree by the river strongly recalls the Tree in the Garden of Eden, the site of original sin. Three different characters offer their own ideas about Gene's moral guilt in making Finny fall. Leper accuses Gene of being always "a savage underneath"; Finny talks about "some kind of blind impulse"; and Gene confesses to "some ignorance inside me." What does each of these descriptions mean? Which do you think is closest to the truth?</p><p>4. Leper's mother and Brinker's father are the only parents who actually appear in the novel. What does the character of each parent tell about that parent's son? If both parents represent the older generation, what conflict exists between the generations?</p><p>5. Like Gene, Brinker grows over the course of the novel. Discuss Brinker's changing views of Gene, the war, enlistment, and responsibility. How does the Brinker who first appears at Gene's door become the Brinker who prepares to leave Devon with Gene in the last chapter?</p><p>6. Finny's views on the war include great contradictions, from his wearing of the pink shirt as an emblem, to his conspiracy theory, to his letter to Chiang Kai-Shek proposing to join the Chinese army. What does Finny really think of the war? Do his feelings change over the course of the novel?</p><p>7. How does the narration of the novel impact its meaning and enjoyment? How would this novel be different if written from a different perspective?</p><p>8. What is the central conflict in the book? In your opinion, was Gene’s act of bouncing the limb an impulsive act or one of hatred?</p><p>9. A major theme in the novel is non-conformity. How do Gene and Finny illustrate this theme?</p><p>10. Explain how World War II functions as an important event throughout the novel.</p>