Analysis of ASP ch.1-5

The characters Gene and Finny from the book "A Separate Peace" have a pretty decent friendship. They get along well, but they are complete opposites in every part of life. Finny is a natural athlete. He does not have to try hard, and he still wins. To where Gene is more modest about his athletic ability. As far as school, and studies go Finny really does not show and effort in either. He is more adventurous, and works on distracting Gene because "somebody has to waste his time". Gene is a hardworking student; he is the leader in class, and is much more focused. Finny is also famous for bending every ones rules, and making his own. He is such a good convincer so he likes to see what he can get away with, and he constantly talks himself out of trouble. Over all Finny is laid back, and Gene goes with the flow, but Finny's outlook on life is based on living in the moment, and not worrying about the future because he knows he can get anything. Gene is planning on being something major in life, but he is competitive with out taking so many risks.


Gene and Finny need each other in a way. Although,Gene feels like Finny is purposely attracting all of the attention so he can be higher up on the pedestal. He believes that Finny is knowingly pulling him away from his studies so they can't be 'even'. God-for-bid if Gene was actually better than Finny at something. To Gene it feels like a game; as if they were trying to weigh each other out all the time. One major conflicting feeling Gene has towards Finny is basically pure jealously. He feels like anything he accomplishes Finny's right there trying to top it off, and usually does. Not too long after Gene begins to feel like this; he understands the real Finny, and how he thinks. When Gene realizes that Finny meant no harm in any of his actions he felt bad for thinking so wrongly of his friend, but was relieved. Finny just thought that good grades came easily to Gene; he did not realize that he worked hard for them. Gene also begins to see that when Finny wins at anything he does not brag, or rub it in. He is very civil about the matter.

In my opinion I believe that Gene is more emotionally mature compared to Finny because of their actions, and the way they look, and think about different things. It seems like Finny does not make a big deal out of the things he should. For instance when he broke the 100 yard swimming record, or even when he shattered his leg when he fell out of the tree. Finny does not like to deal with his problems so he brushes them off by acting like there not a big deal. He is also more laid back about life, and does not think about what he is going to do in the future. Finny is a live in the moment type of guy. On the contrary, Gene is more mature about things, and he handles them better. Gene is more focused on school, and he gets good grades. He is a class leader, and plans on being something major in life. However, Gene is not real serious he is spontaneous, and competitive in a good way without letting it go to his head. He just does not take as many risks as Finny does.