Chapter 13 Summary
In June, the war comes to Devon in a concrete way when the Far Common is donated to the war effort. The campus will host a Parachute Riggers' school, and troops arrive in jeeps and heavy trucks, all painted in olive drab. No one has ever accused Gene for being responsible for what had happened to Phineas; in fact, no one talks about Phineas at all. As he watches the Headmaster welcome the assembled troops, Gene takes note of the beautiful New England day that surrounds them. Despite the trappings of war which have encroached upon the school, in Gene's mind peace still "lays on Devon like a blessing, the summer's peace," carried over from the year before.
Brinker's dad arrives at the school and asks to meet Brinker and Gene in the Butt Room. He is a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, and he tells the boys that they are "the image of (him) and (his) gang in the old days." He is excited about the war, and wishes he were still young enough to take part in it. Mr. Hadley asks Gene what branch of the military he will be entering. Gene replies honestly that he did not want to wait to be drafted because then he would have been assigned to the infantry, the "dirtiest...(and) most dangerous branch of all." Gene has instead enlisted in the Navy, with hopes that he will receive "a lot of training, and...never see a foxhole." Brinker, like Gene, has signed up for what he hopes is a comparatively safe military assignment and is "all set for the Coast Guard."
Mr. Hadley cannot completely conceal his disapproval of the boys' approaches. He admonishes them about the importance of their war memories and the pride they will derive later if they can say that they "were up front where there was some real shooting going on." He calls this the boys' "greatest moment" and stresses that they will need to do "a heck of a lot more than just what (they) have to" if they want a military record they can be proud of. Brinker later apologizes to Gene for his father's attitude, complaining that his father and his "crowd" are responsible for the war and are forcing their sons to fight it for them. Gene reflects that Brinker's interpretation of events is ironically similar to Finny's, but for himself, he does not agree with either of them. To Gene, it seems clear that
wars were not made by generations and their special stupidities, but that wars were made instead by something ignorant in the human heart.
Gene heads over to the gym to clean out his locker. As he surveys his surroundings, marred now by war's trappings, he understands that the happy times he has experienced here at Devon are now over. Gene realizes that he is able to accept the changes with a sense of tranquility, a gift from Finny, whose vitality could not be so quickly quenched even in his irrevocable absence. Phineas had had the uncanny ability to size up the world with
erratic and entirely personal reservations, letting its rocklike facts sift through and be accepted only a little at a time, only as much as he could assimilate without a sense of chaos and loss.
By sharing this ability with Gene, Finny has left behind a legacy that enables his friend to accept what comes his way with "a glowing sense of sureness." In the following months, Gene enters the war at last, but he never kills anyone, nor does he develop "an intense level of hatred for the enemy." Gene had fought the real enemy during his years at Devon, the fear that comes from within and that causes individuals to build up damaging defenses that ultimately destroy them. Finny alone had known instinctively how to avoid this self-destructive tendency, and he had shown his best friend as well how to achieve, in all circumstances, a separate peace.
Expert Q&A
In "A Separate Peace," what does the phrase "not a tree, not love, not even death by violence" mean?
The phrase "not a tree, not love, not even death by violence" in "A Separate Peace" reflects Gene's realization that time changes everything. Despite the profound impact of his friendship with Finny and the violent events leading to Finny's death, these memories have softened over time. The once significant tree and intense emotions have diminished, highlighting the impermanence of all things.
What does the last line of A Separate Peace mean?
The last line of A Separate Peace suggests that only Phineas understood the futility of creating enemies and building defenses. By referencing the ineffective Maginot Line, Knowles argues that personal and collective conflicts arise from imagined enemies. Phineas’ innocence and refusal to view others as enemies highlight the novel's message that peace is preferable to war, questioning whether the need for enemies is inherent or culturally learned.
How does Devon school change after Finny's death? Why isn't Gene accused of being responsible?
After Finny's death, Devon School loses its sense of peace and innocence, symbolized by Finny, and becomes more engulfed by the realities of war. Gene is not accused of being responsible for Finny's death because others either cannot believe or understand the situation. Although the boys once held a mock trial blaming Gene, the gravity of Finny's death makes it difficult for them to truly confront or accuse Gene, who himself sees no point in discussing the irreversible past.
Which military branches did Brinker and Gene choose in A Separate Peace, and why?
Brinker joins the Coast Guard, and Gene chooses the Navy to avoid the front lines in "A Separate Peace." Gene initially considers the draft but fears being sent to the infantry. By enlisting in the Navy, he avoids direct combat while still participating in the war effort, thus dodging accusations of cowardice. Brinker justifies his choice by stating the Coast Guard also faces challenges. Their choices reflect a theme of avoiding war without appearing cowardly.
In "A Separate Peace", what had Phineas escaped according to Gene, and who confronted him?
Phineas escaped going to war due to a leg injury, which prevented him from serving in World War II. Despite this, he initially denied the reality of the war's impact. Gene confronted Phineas, telling him he wouldn't be effective in war due to his nature as a sportsman, not a soldier. This conversation helped Phineas accept his situation and reconcile with his inability to participate in the war.
In Chapter 13 of A Separate Peace, what attitudes are revealed by Mr. Hadley's statement about war memories?
Mr. Hadley's statement about war memories reveals a romanticized view of war, seeing it as an opportunity for young men to prove themselves through daring feats and gain respect. He fondly recalls his own wartime experiences and envies the younger generation's chance to fight. In contrast, Brinker fears the war and resents his father's pressure to serve heroically, viewing such attitudes as naive and blaming the older generation for the current conflict.
What rhetorical devices does the author use in Chapter 13 (pages 190-193) to express support for the boys' stance on serving in the war?
The author uses pathos as a rhetorical device to support the boys' stance on serving in the war. Mr. Hadley implies that "real men" should fight at the front, appealing to emotions and the idea of honor and respect. He suggests that war memories will shape future perceptions, hinting that those who serve bravely will earn lasting respect. This emotional appeal underscores the societal expectation for men to serve valiantly in combat roles.
In A Separate Peace, why does Gene not mention Finny after his death?
Gene does not mention Finny after his death because he feels that discussing something he cannot change, like Finny's death, serves no purpose. He believes it is more respectful to keep Finny's memory sacred and at peace. Gene acknowledges Finny's enduring vitality, which makes it difficult to use the past tense when referring to him. By not talking about Finny, Gene keeps his memory alive and honors his friend's ability to live fully in the moment.
Why does the plot of A Separate Peace end as a tragic comedy?
The plot concludes as a tragic comedy due to the interplay of tragedy and continuity. While Leper's breakdown and Phineas's death are tragic, the survival of Gene and Brinker reflects the ongoing cycle of life. The novel contrasts older and younger generations, exemplified by Gene's realization that he is free from hatred after Phineas's death. This blend of loss and the continuation of life reflects the dual nature of tragedy and comedy.
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