A Separate Peace By John Knowles

About the Author John Knowles Born in West Virginia on September 16, 1926 Knowles was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, which served as a model for the setting of A Separate Peace. A Separate Peace was Knowles’ first work, which earned him the Rosenthal Award of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. This established Knowles as a successful author.

Phillips Exeter Academy Devon School, the setting of A Separate Peace, is based heavily on the Phillips Exeter Academy.

Phillips Exeter Academy

Characters Gene- protagonist; in his early 30s visiting Devon School for the first time in years; thoughtful and intelligent with a completive nature; develops a love-hate relationship with his best friend, Finny

Characters Finny- Gene’s classmate/best friend; honest, handsome and self-confident; best athlete in school; smooth-talker with authority; never perceives anyone as an enemy; achievement is more important than competition

Characters Leper Lepellier- classmate of Gene and Finny; loves the outdoors; not popular at Devon; first boy from their class to enlist in the army; has a mental breakdown Brinker Hadley- class politician who likes to be organized; conservative; ruthless; mindset opposite of Finny; goes to great length to discover the truth if he feels deceived

The Victory Corps During WWII, schools emphasized physical fitness to prepare their male students for war. The boarding schools would participate in “Victory Corps.” This required students to participate in war oriented extracurricular activities and home front volunteer projects.

1940s Prep School Elitism 1940s prep schools were viewed as elitist “clubs” They were meant for the children of the very wealthy, and these children were often disconnected from society and shielded from reality.

Historical Context World War II Began in 1939 when the Germans invaded Poland, and officially ended in August 1945, when the Japanese surrendered. A Separate Peace takes place during the summer of 1942, directly in the center of World War II. In America: In order to cope with the war, America instituted rations on books, sugar, coffee, and other goods. To conserve gasoline, a national 35 MPH speed limit was implemented, and driving for pleasure was banned. By the summer of 1942, many Americans realized that the war was far from over.

The Draft FDR signed the Selective Service & Training Act in 1940. It required all men sign up for selective service upon turning 18. These men could be called to war at anytime if their draft card was selected. The draft for WWII lasted from 1940-1943. Of the 50 million registered, 10 million were inducted into the military.

Literary Context A Separate Peace belongs to a genre of literature called Bildungsroman. This translates to “a novel of formation.” This is a German term which describes a novel whose main character matures over time, usually from childhood. a coming of age novel that represents the psychological, moral & social maturation of the protagonist. Similar to Lord of the Flies, Jane Eyre, or To Kill a Mockingbird, A Separate Peace deals with children coming to terms with their identity and what role they play in the world.

Main Themes Internal and external conflicts. The plot is dominated by Gene’s progression toward maturity. What is perceived versus what is the truth? The duality of man (good and evil inside all of us) The relationship between war and peace. The backdrop of the war plays a vital role in the novel. The nature of friendship. The relationship between Gene and Finny is the novel’s focus. The power of guilt and jealousy. People’s ability to change. Is change really possible?

What Is An Archetype, Again? Archetypes are recurring patterns (plot structures, symbols, character types, themes) that occur in mythology, religion, and stories across cultures and time periods.

Archetypal Settings and Symbols Tree: inexhaustible life due to its growth, proliferation, and generative and regenerative processes; wisdom

Situational Archetypes The Fall: a descent from a higher to a lower state of being, from innocence and bliss to loss–often accompanied by an expulsion from paradise

Situational Archetypes The Ritual: Ceremonies that mark the rite of passage into another state. Sacrificial Initiation Coming of Age

Point of View 1st person- Gene Explores the relationship between memory and truth Unreliable narrator- a narrator whose credibility has been compromised; untrustworthy Gene is an unreliable narrator because he is telling a story 15 years later Flashbacks