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A Separate Peace - Term Papers

A Separate Peace

The theme suggested in the closing paragraph of the novel is that people create their own enemy and then they defend themselves laboriously and obsessively against their imaginary enemy. They develop a particular frame of mind in
order to allay the fear that arises while facing their nonexistent enemy. In the novel, the protagonist, Gene, tries to fight a war with his best friend, Finny, not realizing that the enemy he sees is not Finny but is his own insecurity.
At the beginning Gene believes that Finny is actually his enemy who is trying to sabotage him. Gene thinks that Finny envies his academic ability just as he envies Finny's extraordinary athletic ability. That way he feels better; ...

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the truth. He has created an enemy
o protect himself from acknowledging that he is not completely satisfied with his character, or lack of character and individuality.
Gene soon realizes that Finny is not trying to be his rival. However, this realization only makes Gene angrier with Finny. He is irritated at the notion that he is "not of the same quality as Finny,” thus he cannot possibly compete with Finny. At this
int Gene already knows that his enemy is not Finny, but he is not yet mature enough to see who his true enemy is. In his subconscious mind, he wants to destroy Finny, or at least bring Finny down to his level. He fulfills this desire by jouncing the sam
tree from which he had almost fallen one time but Finny saved his life by reaching out and grabbing him. This time, Finny, who is standing on the limb falls off the tree and breaks his leg. Despite this incident, Finny continues to believe in Gene's loy
ty. Later, Finny's death makes Gene look at his ...

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A Separate Peace. (2004, February 13). Retrieved February 21, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/A-Separate-Peace/2997

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 2/13/2004 10:36:23 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Free Paper
Words: 759
Pages: 3

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