11/25/08
"It wasn't the cider which made me surpass myself, it was the liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace"(137).
This quote is important because it relates back to this theme of "A Separate Peace." As we saw earlier in the book, the kids at Devon in the summer sort of resembled a "separate peace," in terms of being apart from the war and enjoying themselves in a time of chaos and death when the rest of the world is focused on the war. We see that same kind of "separate peace," theme in this quote, when they are creating joyful times (carnival), from something bad, and becoming separate from the world in times of peril and destruction.
How could Leper's escaping from the war change the way people think about him?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Separate Peace ch. 8
11/25/08
"The winter loves me...What I mean is, I love winter, and when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love"(111).
This quote is significant because it exemplifies the relationship between Gene and Finny, also how Finny is sort of portraying his feelings to Gene. When he says "when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love," I believe he is saying to Gene that because he likes Gene as a friend, than Gene must like him back. That it doesn't matter what way he does, just the fact that gene appreciates him and likes him back.
what do you think the true war is?(one between the youth and the "fat" men, or an actual war).
"The winter loves me...What I mean is, I love winter, and when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love"(111).
This quote is significant because it exemplifies the relationship between Gene and Finny, also how Finny is sort of portraying his feelings to Gene. When he says "when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love," I believe he is saying to Gene that because he likes Gene as a friend, than Gene must like him back. That it doesn't matter what way he does, just the fact that gene appreciates him and likes him back.
what do you think the true war is?(one between the youth and the "fat" men, or an actual war).
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Separat Peace ch.7
11/24/08
"I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life when I chose, and I chose now"(102).
This quote is significant because it is at this point when we see Gene taking control of his own life and not having someone else live it in his shadow. Leading up to this event we find that Gene has always been easily persuaded into things, for example; Finny convinces Gene to jump off of the tree with him numerous times, also convinced him to sleep on the beach with him, etc. In correspondence to this quote we see that Gene is starting to take control of his life and make decisions on his own, based on himself.
How could Gene's making decisions for himself destroy their friendship?
"I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life when I chose, and I chose now"(102).
This quote is significant because it is at this point when we see Gene taking control of his own life and not having someone else live it in his shadow. Leading up to this event we find that Gene has always been easily persuaded into things, for example; Finny convinces Gene to jump off of the tree with him numerous times, also convinced him to sleep on the beach with him, etc. In correspondence to this quote we see that Gene is starting to take control of his life and make decisions on his own, based on himself.
How could Gene's making decisions for himself destroy their friendship?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.6
11/23/08
"Listen, pal, if i can't play sports, you're going to play them for me,"and i lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first:to become a part of Phineas.
through out the book so far we have seen Gene trying to fulfill this idea of becoming Phineas. at this point Finny basically says to Gene, "you have to play sports for me." this is significant because it resembles Finny's dedication to being the top leader in athletics, and Gene's wanting to be like Finny, and to escape himself.
As we have seen Gene "go to far" before, how do you think he will play out the role of Phineas in the remaining chapters?
"Listen, pal, if i can't play sports, you're going to play them for me,"and i lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first:to become a part of Phineas.
through out the book so far we have seen Gene trying to fulfill this idea of becoming Phineas. at this point Finny basically says to Gene, "you have to play sports for me." this is significant because it resembles Finny's dedication to being the top leader in athletics, and Gene's wanting to be like Finny, and to escape himself.
As we have seen Gene "go to far" before, how do you think he will play out the role of Phineas in the remaining chapters?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.5
11/19/08
"I spent much time as i could alone in our room, trying to empty my mind of every thought, to forget where i was, even who i was...I decided to put on his close...I never forgot, and that evening i put on his cordovan shoes, his pants, and i looked for and finally found his pink shirt...I had become, no character out of daydreams. i was Phineas, Phineas to life"(62).
This quote is significant because it resembles Gene trying to escape his self. Gene by interrogating himself, and attempts to rid his mind of every thought, even to forget who he has. In this time of despair, Gene tries on Finny's clothing and "body" and acts like Finny, making faces and expressions in the mirror. At this point we see that Gene is using Finny as an escape from his own deteriorating life. That becoming Finny will rid him of his problems.
In real life could envy drive people to committing desperate, and not to mention creepy, acts like this?
"I spent much time as i could alone in our room, trying to empty my mind of every thought, to forget where i was, even who i was...I decided to put on his close...I never forgot, and that evening i put on his cordovan shoes, his pants, and i looked for and finally found his pink shirt...I had become, no character out of daydreams. i was Phineas, Phineas to life"(62).
This quote is significant because it resembles Gene trying to escape his self. Gene by interrogating himself, and attempts to rid his mind of every thought, even to forget who he has. In this time of despair, Gene tries on Finny's clothing and "body" and acts like Finny, making faces and expressions in the mirror. At this point we see that Gene is using Finny as an escape from his own deteriorating life. That becoming Finny will rid him of his problems.
In real life could envy drive people to committing desperate, and not to mention creepy, acts like this?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Separate Peace Quote ch.4
11/18/08
"It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten"(60).
This quote is significant because it marks a turning point in the story. In previous chapters we have learned that Gene has a crazy assumption that Finny is competing with him, and always convincing him to do the things which prevent Gene from fulfilling his goals. At the end of chapter 4, Gene's knees bend and shake the branch causing Finny to fall on the bank. Which is when Gene says this quote. This quote kind of hints that Finny is finally "out of the way" making Gene fearless to jump into the water. Also this Hints that Finny is no longer an obstacle to Gene.
If Gene thinks of Finny as this un-passable obstacle then why does he remain Finny's friend?
"It was the first clumsy physical action I had ever seen him make. With unthinking sureness I moved out on the limb and jumped into the river, every trace of my fear of this forgotten"(60).
This quote is significant because it marks a turning point in the story. In previous chapters we have learned that Gene has a crazy assumption that Finny is competing with him, and always convincing him to do the things which prevent Gene from fulfilling his goals. At the end of chapter 4, Gene's knees bend and shake the branch causing Finny to fall on the bank. Which is when Gene says this quote. This quote kind of hints that Finny is finally "out of the way" making Gene fearless to jump into the water. Also this Hints that Finny is no longer an obstacle to Gene.
If Gene thinks of Finny as this un-passable obstacle then why does he remain Finny's friend?
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Separate Peace ch.2-3
11/17/08
"There was no harm in envying your best friend a little"(25).
This quote relates back to our discussion on whether or not it is ok to envy your friend, even the slightest bit. This quote foreshadows that genes being envious of
Finny will blossom into a larger, more extreme issue.
"yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn't have been on that damn limb except for him.I wouldn't have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn't been there"(33).
As an opening quote i think this relates to this kind of love/hate relationship that Finny has with Gene. Sometimes Gene is in full agreement with Finny and are the best of friends, and sometimes Gene thinks of Finny as a plague, he effects whoever he touches.
How might Gene being envious of Finny ruin their relationship and status as best friends?
"There was no harm in envying your best friend a little"(25).
This quote relates back to our discussion on whether or not it is ok to envy your friend, even the slightest bit. This quote foreshadows that genes being envious of
Finny will blossom into a larger, more extreme issue.
"yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn't have been on that damn limb except for him.I wouldn't have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn't been there"(33).
As an opening quote i think this relates to this kind of love/hate relationship that Finny has with Gene. Sometimes Gene is in full agreement with Finny and are the best of friends, and sometimes Gene thinks of Finny as a plague, he effects whoever he touches.
How might Gene being envious of Finny ruin their relationship and status as best friends?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Seperate Peace ch.1
11/14/08
"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?"
This quote is significant because it resembles Finny's persuasiveness. Also i believe this foreshadows further events and struggles between Gene and Phineas in terms of their relationship, that Finny will eventually "take hold over" Gene for the worst.
if your best friend pressured you into doing something would you do it?
Gene:
easily persuaded
smart
trustworthy
worrisome
envious
"For such an extraordinary athlete-even as a Lower Middler Phineas had been the best athlete in the school he was not spectacularly built. He was my height...He weighed a hundred and fifty pounds...which flowed from his legs to torso shoulders to arms and full strong neck..."
Phineas:
brave
self confident
athletic
trouble maker
comforting
"better hurry," "or they'll put you in the guard house."
"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?"
This quote is significant because it resembles Finny's persuasiveness. Also i believe this foreshadows further events and struggles between Gene and Phineas in terms of their relationship, that Finny will eventually "take hold over" Gene for the worst.
if your best friend pressured you into doing something would you do it?
Gene:
easily persuaded
smart
trustworthy
worrisome
envious
"For such an extraordinary athlete-even as a Lower Middler Phineas had been the best athlete in the school he was not spectacularly built. He was my height...He weighed a hundred and fifty pounds...which flowed from his legs to torso shoulders to arms and full strong neck..."
Phineas:
brave
self confident
athletic
trouble maker
comforting
"better hurry," "or they'll put you in the guard house."
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