Liberal Humanistic Critique of A Separate Peace - 1112 Words

John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace, reveals the many dangers and hardships of adolescence. The main characters, Gene, and Finny, spend their summer together at a boarding school called Devon. The two boys, do everything together, until Gene, the main character, develops a resentful hatred toward his friend Finny. Gene becomes extremely jealous and envious of Finny, which fuels this resentment, and eventually turns deadly. Knowles presents a look at the darker side of adolescence, showing jealousy’s disastrous effects. Gene’s envious thoughts and jealous nature, create an internal enemy, that he must fight. A liberal humanistic critique reveals that Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace, has a self contained meaning, expresses the†¦show more content†¦Gene made Finny his enemy, only because he felt envious of his personality and character. Knowles explains that all people should live life to its fullest, and avoid jealousy, envy, and hatred. A liberal humanistic review, shows that Knowles’ novel, promotes the enhancement of life. Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace, also reveals that human nature never changes. Knowles, reveals the tragic flaw of jealousy, that has continuously plagued human nature. Gene’s envy of Finny’s exceptional personality and character, reveals this terrible flaw. Human nature has always contained jealousy or envy, but Knowles’ novel reveals its truly destructive nature, through the characters’ thoughts and actions. Gene’s character, illustrates the progression of human nature and jealousy. A pattern is revealed, that simple jealousy forces action, which in turn, creates guilt and internal punishment. This represents the static nature of humans, who change very little. Gene’s envy, forces him to act, which creates enormous guilt that he must now carry. Knowles reveals that humans do not change or learn, even after a great tragedy. Gene may have learned from his actions, but all the other characters, will take no heed. This shows th at although humans should learn from their past mistakes, they do not pay attention, and continue doing what they know they should not. Gene â€Å"jounced the limb,† (Knowles 60,) thus ending Finny’s life. Humans however, will not change, and another personShow MoreRelatedA Critical Review of â€Å"the Ambiguities of Football, Politics, Culture, and Social Transformation in Latin America† by Tamir Bar-on.14147 Words   |  57 PagesPolitics; Social Transformation; Sport and Games [pic] [pic]Introduction 1.1 As Western society nears the end of the twentieth century, the howling horrors of political totalitarianism - namely, Stalinism and Nazism - grow dim, and liberal, capitalist horizons fade in the winter of nihilism (Grant, 1969: p. 40), dictated by the pure will to technology;[1] mastery over humanity, nature, and chance; the cult of money; and shallow, instrumental individualism. 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