A Separate PeaceJohn Knowles

Plot Summary• “Set in a boys’ boarding school in New England during

the early years of World War II, A Separate Peace is a harrowing and luminous parable of the dark side of adolescence.”

• Gene Forrester, the protagonist, returns to his old prep school, Devon, fourteen years after he graduated to visit two places he regards as "fearful sites:" a flight of marble stairs and a tree by the river.

• The tree brings back memories of Gene's time as a student at Devon. From this point, the plot follows Gene's description of the time span from the summer of 1942 to the summer of 1943.

• In 1942, he was 16 years old and living at Devon with his best friend and roommate, Phineas (nicknamed Finny). At the time, World War II is taking place, and has a prominent effect on the story.

John Knowles, the author of A Separate Peace, attended Phillips Exeter Academy, a private boarding school, which Devon is said to be loosely based on.

• The story opens with Gene returning to his old boarding school to revisit two “fearful sights.”

*a flight of marble stairs

*a tree by the river

Cast of Characters: Gene ForresterMain character, story told from Gene's point of view. Gene focuses on, and succeeds at, academics. He envies his roommate Finny's graceful, easy athleticism and social prowess. Gene is from Texas, and is somewhat unaccustomed to Northeastern culture.

Phineas aka Finny• Incorrigible, good natured,

athletic, daredevil, and could always get away with anything. Gene's best friend and roommate. He always sees the best in others, seeks internal fulfillment free of accolades, and shapes the world around himself to fit his desires. He is an extraordinary athlete, succeeding in every sport he plays. Gene’s roommate and bff.

Brinker Hadley• Brinker is a classmate

and friend of Gene and Finny's. He ceaselessly strives for order during the Winter Session at Devon.

Elwin Lepellier

• Nature-loving and strange, Leper is Finny and Gene's friend, and was a key member of the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session. He is the first student in his class to enlist in the military. Late in the novel, Leper goes insane from the stress of his enlistment in the army.