1. What does Gene mean by the "separate peace" he believes he has attained? In what ways has this peace influenced the rest of his life?

2. Identify several instances where Knowles employs the natural world (such as the tree and the rivers) to highlight and convey the novel's central themes. Do you find these images effective as symbols? Why or why not?

3. What role do sports play in the lives of the boys at Devon? How does Knowles use sports to develop his characters?

4. How does Knowles depict American society in his portrayal of the United States during the early days of World War II? In what ways might writing the book in the 1950s have influenced his depiction of the 1940s?

5. Gene is depicted with significant psychological depth, whereas Phineas is mainly shown through Gene's eyes. How does Phineas perceive himself? How might Phineas's self-view differ from Gene's perception of him?