A Separate Peace by John Knowles
I.
John Knowles (1926-2001)
A. born in West Virginia
B. a student at Phillips Exeter Academy, a well-known boarding
school in New Hampshire--which inspired Devon Prep and the
novel.
C. Joined the military right after high school to help in the war
effort.
II.
The Novel
A. Setting: Devon, a private school in New Hampshire during
World War II.
B. Story is mostly told as a flashback—the narrator returns to his
old high school and remembers his past.
III.
Characters
A. Gene Forester: protagonist and narrator; intellectual and
competitive.
B. Phineas (also called Finny): He is a nonconformist who fails
to acknowledge school regulations and tradition. Athletic and
popular.
C. Brinker Hadley: This character is an elitist student leader that
is concerned about losing his power.
D. Edward Lepellier (also called Leper): He is an isolationist
that was ridiculed by many of his classmates. Quiet, artistic,
sensitive.
IV.
Themes
A. Jealousy:
B. Irresponsibility:
C. Denial:
D. Insecurity:
E. change, innocence vs. experience, order vs. rebellion,
friendship, competition,
F. Character types: the cynic, the nonconformist, the elitist, and
the outsider.