Taylor 1

Alexia Taylor

Mrs. Bordner

Pre IB English I

September 2, 2010

The examination of the elaborate A Separate Peace.

The title of the book is A Separate Peace. The author of the book is John

Knowles. Historical fiction takes the role as the genre. The narrative point of view is

represented by first person. The setting of the book is Devon boarding school in New

England, and it is set in the 1940's during World War II. A. The author’s use of time and

place is very effective due to major historical events that are taking place. B. This story

essentially couldn't take place at anytime because it was solely based on the war, and the

events that occurred within the school during the war. C. The setting doesn't change

much but it does veer from the main setting, which being Devon School campus. D. The

setting changes from the main setting to give the story a variety in the environment.

6. The basic plot of A Separate Peace is the lives of young men that are isolated

from the life changing World War II. It explains the trials and tribulations of the norms

people went through during that time period. In an in depth view the main character

focus on their individual goals. In general the young men isolation causes them to have a

different effect on the Devon students. It also brings the definition to light for the title A

Separate Peace.

7. A. The opening scene can be described by a setting fifteen years later. Gene

the main character fifteen years older goes back to Devon to reminisce on the past events
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fifteen years prior. The main character describes a night sequence he saw often as he

explores along campus borders. He describes the buildings in which he saw daily on

Devon’s campus. B. The most important part that is described is his emotion felt

because he is back on campus. Being that Gene has a strong connection the school it

brings back good and bad memories. C. The opening scene does set the stage for the rest

of the work because it mentions specific examples on events that happened in Gene’s

Devon experience. “The tree was not only stripped by the cold season, it seemed wary

from age, enfeeble, and dry.” This excerpt makes a transition into the oncoming past

events about the tree.

8. A. The closing scene describes Gene’s rant on appreciation for Phineas, and

he in a way compares the other young men to Finny. Gene also in a deceitful way points

out other minor characters flaws that were seen throughout the book. B. It’s important

because it wraps the book up basically showing how Finny represents the meaning of the

title. C. It fits with the theme of writing because Gene often veered away from the

flashback story to explain his point of view.

9. A. One of the main characters is Gene, and the reader can tell that Gene is

speaking in the beginning by the retrain he has in his characters voice. Another main

character is Phineas, in contrast from Gene he speaks is very bold manor with a sort of

intriguing intelligence and optimism. B. The characters are very much believable, and

they don’t really have extreme behaviors. C. Leper is a minor character in the book that

is another good friend to Gene and is the first to enlist. He contributes humor and a

dramatist. Brinker brings to the table loose cannon, and he is unpredictable in his

decision. Brinker also in a way brings order to a council. Queckenbush gives the story a
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more school environment because he is such a jock.

10. A. The basic conflict is between Finny and Gene, which is their friendship.

B. It’s both internal and external conflict because Gene in the beginning is constantly

trying to sabotage Finny, but in the middle it turns to a physical conflict. C. Conflicts

that occurred were Finny being pushed out the tree, and Finny didn’t want to believe his

best friend affected him. The competition between Chet and Gene for class valedictorian

is a conflict. They both wanted to have the honor in front of their peers.

11. The major theme in A Separate Peace is once an object or person has been

separated from the group, then the group realizes the individual’s niche in said group. 12.

A. A strong symbol in A Separate Peace is Phineas’s fall off the tree. B. The fall stands

for a down fall of Gene’s innocence. Literally Finny is pushed off the tree and as Gene

does so his innocence and Gene’s passive attitude falls as well. 13. A. A Separate Peace

is an isolated tranquil area that cannot be affected by outside influence. B. The title

gives the meaning of the story because toward the end of the book it mentions that the

school was a haven from the outside world. C. The title is related to the setting because

during the war everything was chaotic outside the school perimeter, and inside the

perimeter was a tranquil area.

14. A. The tone of the story is a dark tone. B. The tone doesn’t really stay the

same because since Devon is secluded from normal society the students are distracted

from the war, so it’s a joyous mood as well. C. In chapter two “we had been swimming

in the river, Finny explained; then there was a wrestling match-.” This explains the fun

activities that occur to make the occasion joyous. “This is something I think you boys
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will see a lot of in this generation. Your friend is dead.” This quote clearly represents a

dark period of the book. 15. The time in the novel is defiantly flashback. The time starts

fifteen years ahead of the initial story and then stays in a flashback toward the end of the

story. The story then concludes in present tense.

16. The author’s style is a distinct technique he uses long fluent sentences. John

Knowels uses a lot of imagery when describing nature and the environment. Knowels

uses dialect to explain his characters personality. His point of view all through the book

is first person narrative. 17. In my opinion I believe John Knowles wrote this book from

his personal boarding school experience. I also think it was written to describe the

historical event that took place. B. The author hopes to accomplish not only

entertainment value, but also an attachment toward the characters.