A Separate Peace Notes Chapter Nine No Bozos!

Leper’s Enlistment Shows how things change and people change Most important line in the book – “Everything has to evolve or else it perishes.” Everything “evolves” or dies Like Gene and Finny’s friendship Signals future change for boys

Leper – Symbol of Innocence Persuaded by propaganda Doesn’t look for what relation the film has to the war “Silent as angels” (Don’t write this) “Cleanest image of war…” (Don’t write this) “Cheerful, sunburned bands” (Don’t write this) Like the boys were the previous summer (don’t write) Leper’s view of war Reflects boyhood naiveté / innocence “It’s like a test” (Don’t write this)

Leper – symbol for boys (Don’t write this) Heroism Represents success of U.S. Boys support shows Patriotism Involvement Without actually having to face the harsh realities of war

Leper’s Exit White stocking cap Symbol - childhood innocence Innocence has gone off to war

Finny Silently becoming embittered Forgets Leper is gone Not facing reality Phineas – symbol of peace Peace cannot coincide with war

Shift away from childhood Brinker Resigns from clubs Shift away from childhood Feels lost in the middle of childhood and adulthood.

Weather Reflects mood Winter – becomes “old, corrupt, tired conqueror” Begins to withdraw only after destroying everything Winter Carnival “A Separate Peace” Like previous summer (this “peace” cannot last) Finny – Dance = Canoe story (he becomes superhuman and can transcend gravity) Letter (From Leper/War/Adult Life) Ends Winter Carnival/Peace/Childhood