Discussion Topic
Finny's motivations for reaching out to Gene
Summary:
Finny reaches out to Gene out of a desire to restore their friendship and alleviate the tension between them. Despite the accident that caused Finny's injury, he values their bond and seeks reconciliation, demonstrating his forgiving and understanding nature.
Why does Finny call Gene in Chapter 6 of A Separate Peace?
Finny telephones Gene because he wants to make sure that Gene is all right, and that their friendship is still intact. The last time Finny had seen Gene was when Gene had visited him in the hospital. Gene, overcome by guilt, had told Finny that he had deliberately caused the accident that crippled him. Finny had refused to believe Gene, and the two had fought (Chapter 5).
When Finny and Gene finally connect again by phone, Finny is his old self, speaking with "friendliness (and) simple outgoing affection". He asks if Gene has a new roommate, and when Gene replies that he does not, Finny assumes it is because Gene has not allowed them to replace Finny. Even though this is not quite true, Finny is reassured that their friendship remains as it was before. He tells Gene that Gene was "crazy" when he visited at the hospital, and apologizes...
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for having "just atrace of a doubt" about Gene's loyalty to him (Chapter 6).
In chapter 8 of A Separate Peace, why does Gene think Finny needs him?
Chapter 8 of A Separate Peace marks Finny's return to school after the fall. His leg is still encased in the cumbersome case which greatly affects the formerly completely graceful Finny's movements, but not his attitude - most of the time. Finny is determined to carry on as if nothing has changed most of the time, but there are moments - usually when he is alone with Gene - when it becomes obvious that Finny is painfully aware of his loss of athletic power.
Finny can only let down his guard about his changed condition to Gene.
I didn't know why he had chosen me, why it was only to me that he could show the most humbling sides of his handicap. I didn't care.
Ultimately, Gene becomes the substitute Olympian-in-training that Finny had dreamed of becoming.
Did I ever tell you," he began in a husky tone, "that I used to be aiming for the Olympics?...Well I was. And now I'm not sure, not a hundred per cent sure I'll be completely, you know, in shape by 1944. So I'm going to coach you for them instead.
Gene comes to realize that Finny is vicariously achieving his Olympic dreams by supervising Gene's training. As Gene pushes himself to athletic extremes he had never before approached, Finny was able to reclaim a feeling of control over the part of his life that had been most important to him before the accident - his athletic accomplishments.