"'only the things and the people who've been evolving the right way survive'" (125).
Leper's theory is of significance to me, because it seems like it is foreshadowing. At this point, we are not exactly certain which characters are evolving the right or the wrong way. However, I do have an idea and I think Gene is evolving the right way while Phineas is evolving the wrong way. At the beginning, it was evident that Gene was a jerk but he has grown since then and is working towards making things right between the two. On the other hand, I think this whole experience has made Finny a little bitter. We see a slight change in his usual charismatic attitude and I think it will continue to spiral downward as we read on. And we will see if he can survive or not.
Is Gene really dedicated to entering the Olympics as much as Finny?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
ASP - Ch. 8
"I didn't know why he had chosen me, why it was only me that he could show the most humbling sides of his handicap" (109).
This is probably one of the few moments that I agree with Gene on this. After all that Gene has deliberately put Phineas through, I have no idea why Finny would continue being so close to Gene. However, when I look at the situation through Finny's eyes, I understand. A little earlier, Brinker offered to help Finny in the shower but he rejected and it became evident why. He is only vulnerable around Gene in his condition considering the fact that they're best friends and that is what the second part of the quote refers to. Ultimately, he refused to appear weak in front of anyone excluding Gene. I also like this quote because it exemplifies Finny's loyalty.
Did Gene tell Finny he was thinking about enlisting only to lure the present conversation to a different direction or was he actually considering it?
This is probably one of the few moments that I agree with Gene on this. After all that Gene has deliberately put Phineas through, I have no idea why Finny would continue being so close to Gene. However, when I look at the situation through Finny's eyes, I understand. A little earlier, Brinker offered to help Finny in the shower but he rejected and it became evident why. He is only vulnerable around Gene in his condition considering the fact that they're best friends and that is what the second part of the quote refers to. Ultimately, he refused to appear weak in front of anyone excluding Gene. I also like this quote because it exemplifies Finny's loyalty.
Did Gene tell Finny he was thinking about enlisting only to lure the present conversation to a different direction or was he actually considering it?
Monday, November 24, 2008
ASP - CH. 6
"I hit him hard across the face. I didn't know why for an instant; it was almost as though I were maimed" (79).
This quote is of interest of me because it is reminiscent of Gene's experience with causing Finny to fall. I think another theme in this book that will continue to occur is Gene and his control. (He seems to lose it sometimes). Back at the end of chapter 4 when Gene jounced the limb, the author purposely emphasized the "I, my, I". The 'my' that Gene used showed that he did not bend his knees therefore possessing no control over his impulsive actions. And the why? Gene could not answer which brings us back to this quote where Gene just punches the kid in the face and unlike he did earlier, he actually admitted that he had no idea why he did it. Not only do I think this can be seen as a theme but I believe it is foreshadowing of consequences Gene will face for his thoughtless actions.
Pgs 79-80, he justifies his choice to punch Quackenbush by saying he was defending Finny. What does he mean?
It seems like Gene is becoming more fearless ever since the accident. I'm wondering if he punched that kid because of what Finny said to him at the end of chapter 5, "You aren't going to start living by the rules, are you?" ?
This quote is of interest of me because it is reminiscent of Gene's experience with causing Finny to fall. I think another theme in this book that will continue to occur is Gene and his control. (He seems to lose it sometimes). Back at the end of chapter 4 when Gene jounced the limb, the author purposely emphasized the "I, my, I". The 'my' that Gene used showed that he did not bend his knees therefore possessing no control over his impulsive actions. And the why? Gene could not answer which brings us back to this quote where Gene just punches the kid in the face and unlike he did earlier, he actually admitted that he had no idea why he did it. Not only do I think this can be seen as a theme but I believe it is foreshadowing of consequences Gene will face for his thoughtless actions.
Pgs 79-80, he justifies his choice to punch Quackenbush by saying he was defending Finny. What does he mean?
It seems like Gene is becoming more fearless ever since the accident. I'm wondering if he punched that kid because of what Finny said to him at the end of chapter 5, "You aren't going to start living by the rules, are you?" ?
Friday, November 21, 2008
ASP - CH. 5
"I cried for Phineas and for myself and for this doctor who believed in facing things. Most of all I cried because of kindness, which I had not expected" (64).
Wow, Gene is a wreck, you never know what is going on in that mind of his. It's been made pretty clear that he deliberately jounced the limb (sadly) and caused the injuries inflicted on Finny. When he states that he cried for Phineas, he was so hurt when he learned that Finny would not be able to play sports. And Gene, out of all people, knew that was the only thing Finny excelled in and he took that away from him. What stuck out to me in this quote is when he said he cried for the doctor because he believed in facing things; i think he says this because Gene knew facing Finny in his condition would be the hardest thing that he would ever have to do. And I think when he refers to kindness and not expecting it, he means when he walks into that room, he won't be expecting any kindness from Finny. He knew that he didn't deserve it and mostly he did not deserve to be Finny's friend. But he wished he did.
What was Gene trying to achieve when he made Finny fall? The way he was crying when he found out that Finny could not play sports anymore, it seemed like he was really hurt and did not expect so much injury.
In the hospital room, the author was emphasizing the way Finny was looking at Gene and it seemed that Finny knew it was Gene (not a feeling) so I want to know if Finny deliberately stared at Gene to intimidate him and make him feel bad to the point where Gene will just tell him?
The chapter ended kind of weird. First they were mad at each other but then they acted like everything was ok. Is everything ok? Will Finny just let it go and move on or will this situation cause problems in their friendship?
Wow, Gene is a wreck, you never know what is going on in that mind of his. It's been made pretty clear that he deliberately jounced the limb (sadly) and caused the injuries inflicted on Finny. When he states that he cried for Phineas, he was so hurt when he learned that Finny would not be able to play sports. And Gene, out of all people, knew that was the only thing Finny excelled in and he took that away from him. What stuck out to me in this quote is when he said he cried for the doctor because he believed in facing things; i think he says this because Gene knew facing Finny in his condition would be the hardest thing that he would ever have to do. And I think when he refers to kindness and not expecting it, he means when he walks into that room, he won't be expecting any kindness from Finny. He knew that he didn't deserve it and mostly he did not deserve to be Finny's friend. But he wished he did.
What was Gene trying to achieve when he made Finny fall? The way he was crying when he found out that Finny could not play sports anymore, it seemed like he was really hurt and did not expect so much injury.
In the hospital room, the author was emphasizing the way Finny was looking at Gene and it seemed that Finny knew it was Gene (not a feeling) so I want to know if Finny deliberately stared at Gene to intimidate him and make him feel bad to the point where Gene will just tell him?
The chapter ended kind of weird. First they were mad at each other but then they acted like everything was ok. Is everything ok? Will Finny just let it go and move on or will this situation cause problems in their friendship?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Separate Peace - Chapter 4
"He minded, despised the possibility that I might be the head of the school" (52).
This quote stood out to me because it sheds light on a whole different issue in Gene and Phineas' friendship. For the first few chapters, it has been made very clear that Gene is a bit jealous of his friend's mischievous ways and as a reader, I felt kind of bad for him. Then after reading this and realizing that the feeling of envy was not only coming from one side of the relationship, I have to admit I was happy. It gives hope to a better relationship because then Gene does not have to always feel down on himself. And Gene and Finny were somehow even.
Will the two ever admit to each other how they really feel?
Will Phineas' careless attitude (especially towards school) have an effect on Gene and his schoolwork?
This quote stood out to me because it sheds light on a whole different issue in Gene and Phineas' friendship. For the first few chapters, it has been made very clear that Gene is a bit jealous of his friend's mischievous ways and as a reader, I felt kind of bad for him. Then after reading this and realizing that the feeling of envy was not only coming from one side of the relationship, I have to admit I was happy. It gives hope to a better relationship because then Gene does not have to always feel down on himself. And Gene and Finny were somehow even.
Will the two ever admit to each other how they really feel?
Will Phineas' careless attitude (especially towards school) have an effect on Gene and his schoolwork?
Monday, November 17, 2008
"A Separate Peace" - CHAPTER 3
"I always jumped. Otherwise I would have lost face with Phineas, and that would have been unthinkable.'
For me, this quote offers a different aspect of Finny and Gene's relationship through the eyes of Gene. We read and understood that Gene was a little jealous of his friend's talents. But this quote showed that Gene truly respected Finny and cared a great deal what Finny thought of him. There were certain traits Finny possessed that Gene admired and because he could never be Phineas, he did everything Finny would expect from him and more. He admired him so much that he was afraid of the fact that Finny would think of him as weak.
Question:
I wonder if Gene will ever express how he feels?
It seems as if Gene feels obliged to perform certain actions to please Finny but why? I feel like he should just be himself.
For me, this quote offers a different aspect of Finny and Gene's relationship through the eyes of Gene. We read and understood that Gene was a little jealous of his friend's talents. But this quote showed that Gene truly respected Finny and cared a great deal what Finny thought of him. There were certain traits Finny possessed that Gene admired and because he could never be Phineas, he did everything Finny would expect from him and more. He admired him so much that he was afraid of the fact that Finny would think of him as weak.
Question:
I wonder if Gene will ever express how he feels?
It seems as if Gene feels obliged to perform certain actions to please Finny but why? I feel like he should just be himself.
"A Separate Peace" CHAPTER 2
"This time he wasn't going to get away with it. I could feel myself unexpectedly excited at that" (27).
Here, Gene comments on Finny when he gets caught with the Devon School Tie on his belt and Gene believes that Phineas will not get away with this as he usually does. He didnt see any possible way for Finny to smooth talk his way out of trouble and it made Gene unwillingly happy. This quote is of significance because it ties into the theme of "envy", specifically Gene's envious emotions towards Finny. Earlier in the chapter, Gene reluctantly admitted to being just a little bit jealous of his best friend, Phineas and because he felt Finny would not avoid facing consequences, he was too excited to feel jealous. However, just because he wasn't feeling that way in that particular moment in time; it did not mean his feelings of envy disintegrated. I think this can possibly be seen as foreshadowing of a drastic change within Gene & Finny's relatiionship. After all, envy is on the seven deadly sins.
Questions:
He used a tie as a belt. Ok ? Whats the big deal?
Here, Gene comments on Finny when he gets caught with the Devon School Tie on his belt and Gene believes that Phineas will not get away with this as he usually does. He didnt see any possible way for Finny to smooth talk his way out of trouble and it made Gene unwillingly happy. This quote is of significance because it ties into the theme of "envy", specifically Gene's envious emotions towards Finny. Earlier in the chapter, Gene reluctantly admitted to being just a little bit jealous of his best friend, Phineas and because he felt Finny would not avoid facing consequences, he was too excited to feel jealous. However, just because he wasn't feeling that way in that particular moment in time; it did not mean his feelings of envy disintegrated. I think this can possibly be seen as foreshadowing of a drastic change within Gene & Finny's relatiionship. After all, envy is on the seven deadly sins.
Questions:
He used a tie as a belt. Ok ? Whats the big deal?
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