Characters of a Seperate Peace Essays

Characters of a Seperate Peace Essays Characters of a Seperate Peace Paper Characters of a Seperate Peace Paper Finny are the two main characters of the book A Separate Peace by John Knowles. They are two very deferent people but manage to still be friends despite. During the course of the book, it becomes evident Genes envy for Finny. However given the nature of Gene and Fannys personalities It Is almost Impossible for Gene to not envy Finny. Gene Is an excellent academic student, but feels that he needs something more. When looking at his Myers-Briggs personality type he seems to fit into that category off JIFFS. These types of people are said to care for people and work endlessly on heir behalf. They have the need to please others and feel needed. This applies to Gene with his very co-dependent relationship with Finny. He wants to desperately to be what Finny is. And a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first: to become a part of Phonies. (77) I believe that Gene desperately wants to fit in and be liked and will please anyone to do so, but not without resentment being held. His desire to fit in and be something other then himself Is shown In how quickly he is willing to Join the army. Finny Is an excellent athlete, charming, and funny. He can get away with Just about anything, the rules Just dont seem to apply to him. When looking at the Myers-Briggs test I would classify him as an FEND. These types of people are said to be warm and enthusiastic people, and good at almost anything they put their mind to. Finny has a certain hold over people, especially Gene. Gene begins to realize this when he thinks What was I doing up here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me? (9) Finny doesnt mean to be manipulative or have a hold over people he is genuine in his desire to make things more fun for others. When looking at Gene and Finny as individuals you see two very different people. You see Gene as someone who feels the desire to please people but is not satisfied with himself, and Finny as someone who Is a fantastic athlete and possesses an undeniable charm. Because of Gene and Flybys close relationship, Finny Is the person Gene decides to want to be Instead of himself. This desire ultimately translates into envy. When Gene starts to become aware of this new he justifies it by eying its a mutual rivalry. Yes, I sensed it like the sweat of relief when nausea passes away; I felt better. We were even after all, even in enmity. The deadly rivalry was on both sides after all. (54) Gene believes that because he is Jealous of Fannys athletic capabilities, that Finny must in return be Jealous of Genes academic achievements. When Finny falls off the tree due to Gene shaking it, at first Gene feels a sense of liberation as opposed to guilt, because in a way he has defeated Finny. Once Finny can no longer be a great athlete the feeling of envy is temporarily lifted. Gene and Finny start to work together as a unit, helping the other where they are weak. When Finny dies, Gene is satisfied because he will finally live on to be Finny. In a Separate Peace the human nature of envy Is looked at. Gene feels an abnormally large resentment and envy towards Finny, whereas Finny seems to initially feel no envy at all towards Gene. When Finny dies Gene is finally able to be Tree, wanly poses ten quest In my mina want IT Gene Ana never met Hon.: w he have continued to live on feeling the need to be someone other then himself, or would he have reached self acceptance through a more healthy means?