A Separate Peace Quote Analysis

Quote: "Only Phineas failed to see what was so depressing. Just as there was no war in his philosophy, there was also no dreary weather."(128)

Significance:

This quote shows that although Phineas has changed a bit, he is still for the most part his usual self. No matter how hard things are, he keeps a positive outlook on life, or at least demonstrates one. So, either he is naturally happy, or he cares enough about those around him to not add to the displeasure.

Question: Is Phineas just putting on an act?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis

Quote: "The moment was past. Phineas I know had been even more startled than I to discover this bitterness in himself. Neither of us ever mentioned it again, and neither of us ever forgot that it was there." (117)

Significance:

This quote pops out as a piece of foreshadowing. It not only shows that Gene's good times with Finny are just about over, but it also shows that the bad times are sure to come. Phineas' "accident" obviously left him with a few kinks in his cheery armor, just enough to allow bitterness to seep through. Clearly, Gene and Phineas are about to enter some rough times

Question: Will Phineas cause trouble for Gene, or will it be the other way around?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis

Quote: "Everything that had happened throughout the day faded like that first false snowfall of the winter. Phineas was back."

Quote Significance:

Once again, it seems that the quote at the end of the chapter holds the most significance. This quote shows complete shock, as well as a bit of fear. It's hard to believe that Gene didn't see this coming in the first place. After all, throughout the course of this chapter, Gene seemed to be trying to take Finny's place, as he said he would have to. The return of Phineas was bound to happen sooner or later. Gene should have planned his reaction.

Question: Is Phineas' return going to have a positive or negative effect on Gene?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis

Quote: "So to Phineas I said, 'I'm too busy for sports,' and he went into his incoherent groans and jumbles of words, and I thought the issue was settled until at the end he said, 'Listen pal, if I can't play sports, you're going to play them for me,' and I lost part of myself to him then, and I soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must've been my purpose from the first; to become a part of Phineas." (85)

Significance:

It seems here that Gene is either exited about his new role, or horrified by it. It could actually be a mixture of both. He did want to be Phineas, after all. Still, he may be fearful that he would one day feel the same disdain for himself that he felt for Phineas. It's obvious that he's going to set out to be the next Phineas, but how will he do it?

Question: Just how is Gene feeling about what Phineas said?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis 5

Quote: "It struck me then that I was injuring him again. It occurred to me that this could be an even deeper injury than what I had done before. I would have to back out of it, I would have to disown it."(Page 71)

Significance: This quote shows that Gene may have been subconsciously willing to cause Finny physical harm, but he still had enough morals to not allow himself to harm Finny emotionally. This is most likely because despite his jealousy of Finny, Gene still considers him to be his closest friend. Gene got what he wanted, after all. Because of the accident, Finny is no longer athletically gifted. Thus, Gene has nothing left to envy. However, Gene does not want to lose Finny as a friend, so he is sure to not upset him.

Quote: Will Gene come to appreciate Finny more in his current state?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis 4

Quote: "It seemed that he had made some kind of parallel between my studies and his sports. He probably thought anything you were good at came without effort. He didn't know yet that he was unique."

Significance: This quote shows that Phineas was without a doubt unaware of how great he was at everything. More than that, it shows that Gene was completely aware of how oblivious Phineas was to his own greatness. Therefor, some of the things Gene said in past chapters are contradicted. So, either Gene is constantly changing his mind, or he simply wants to change the truth to justify his jealousy.

Question: Why would Gene contradict himself in this instance?

A Separate Peace Quote Significance 3

Quote: "Was he trying to impress me or something? Not tell anybody? When he had broken the school record without a day of practice? I knew he was serious about it , so I didn't tell anybody about it."(Page 44)

Significance of Quote:

This quote shows that Gene may not fully understand Phineas, but he still trusts his judgement. This is most likely because he has known Phineas for a long time, and has yet to see him get himself in trouble. While this shows trust, it also shows a bit of risk. There is such a thing as being too confident.

Question: Is Phineas just trying to prove everything to himself, or also to those around him?

A Separate Peace Quote Significance 2

Quote:"I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn't help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal. There was no harm in envying even your best friend a little."

Quote Significance:

This quote is significant because it seems to be an obvious foreshadowing of things to come. I believe that in time, Gene's jealousy towards Phineas will take a turn for the worst, and it will tear their friendship apart. It just seems like too odd of a thing to think.

Question: Is Gene glad that Phineas is the way he is?

A Separate Peace Quote Analysis

Phineas: Fun-loving, excitable, athletic, friendly, and daring

"No one but Phineas could think up such a crazy idea.He of course saw nothing the slightest bit intimidating about it. He wouldn't; or wouldn't admit it if he did. Not Phineas." (Page 14)

Gene: Descriptive, apprehensive, logical, nostalgic, and obsessive.

" In the deep, tacit way in which feeling becomes stronger than thought, I always felt that the Devon school came into existence the day I entered it, was vibrantly real while I was a student there, and then blinked out like a candle the day I left." (Page 9-10)

Significant Quote: "The houses were as handsome and as unusual as I remembered. Clever modernizations of old Colonial manses, extensions in Victorian wood, capacious Greek Revival temples lined the street, as impressive and forbidding as ever."(Page 20-11)

Significance of quote

This quote is significant because it shows not only Gene's attention to detail, but his admiration for it, as well. It almost seems like an obsession with him, as he does it several more times throughout the chapter. This could spring from him being either naturally sentimental or naturally bitter.

Question: Does Gene think of his past as completely horrible, or is he grateful to it for shaping him into who he would become?