A Separate Peace Group

Question:

nickd15
nickd15
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In A Separate Peace, why does Gene choose to believe that Finny sets out deliberately to ruin his grades with endless diversions?

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Posted by nickd15 on Thursday February 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM and tagged with a separate peace, finny, gene forrester, plot.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    This part of the plot shows us the fear and pressure Gene feels at school and how his mind is working. Gene is very insecure and fearful. He does not have a strong sense of self-worth or self-respect. For Gene, academic achievement represents both of these. He works very hard to be a class leader in academics because in this way he can prove to himself that he has value. When Gene feels he isn't studying enough, he starts to worry and blames Finny instead of accepting responsibility for the choices he has been making. Also, Gene can feel justified in his jealousy of Finny if Finny were jealous of him. Choosing to think Finny is sabotaging his grades serves Gene in both ways.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/separate/
    http://www.enotes.com/separate/gene-forrester

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    Posted by mshurn on Thursday February 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM