ASP Alterations

By Alli Magargal and Alyssa Sniechoski

“The key to change.. Is to let go of fear.”

–Rosanne Cash

Thesis Throughout the novel, A Separate

Peace, John Knowles shows multiple ways of transformation to present the evolving setting and society, due to the ongoing

thought of the war.

Quote“I turned back toward the river, moved a few more steps along the

limb, sprang far out and fell into the deep water. Finny also made a good

jump, and the Super Suicide Society of the Summer was officially established.” – Gene,

Page 31

Significance

Gene made his first jump off the tree with

Finny. This was the beginning of the Super Suicide Society of the Summer. Right before

Gene jumped, Gene was about to fall and Finny

saved him. Gene transformed into a more

daring person and became more like Finny.

“But when I looked in the mirror, I was no remote aristocrat. I

had become, no character of day

dreams. I was Phineas, Phineas to the life…

The sense of transformation stayed with me throughout the evening an even

when I undressed and went to bed.” –Gene,

Page 62

Gene was alone in his and Finny’s room.

Gene aimed to transform himself

into Finny by trying on Finny’s clothes. His identity “blurs”

into Finny’s.

Quote Significance

Quote“Sports are finished for him, after an accident like that, of course.” –

Finny’s Doctor talking to Gene about Finny,

Page 63

Significance

Finny is transformed from a young, healthy athlete into a cripple who can barely walk

because of the accident that Gene caused.

Quote“The traditions

had been broken, the standards let down, all rules forgotten.”

-Gene, Page 73

Significance

While Gene was in church, he was

thinking about the transformation of the

student body of Devon as a whole. This change took

place after Finny was injured, and

everyone was preparing for the

war.

Quote“The same was true of the water hole, where unauthorized games of

hockey were played.” –Gene, Page 186

Significance

Summer turns to winter, which changes from a carefree to concerning

and fearful atmosphere.

Quote“He changed into a

woman. I was looking at him as close as

I’m loking at you and his face turned into a

womans.”-Leper, Page 150

Significance

Visions of transformations that drive Leper from serving in the ski troops.

Quote“My fury was gone, I felt it gone, dried up at the source, withered and lifeless. Phineas had

absorbed it and taken it with him, and I was rid

of it forever.”-Gene, page 203

Significance

Gene was watching calithenics and was happy

that he would soon no longer have to stay at

Devon. He was ready for the war and finally had no hatred towards it. He

transformed into a man with no fury. Gene saw himself as Finny. Finny was dead, and according to Gene, Gene was essentially dead also.

Conclusion

In the novel, A Separate Peace, John Knowles

presented several methods of transformation from beginning to end; This revealed that the boys’

preparation for the war, and thoughts about the war changed the emotions,

setting and society in the book.