Summary:
John Knowles uses abundant examples of personification, similes, and symbolism in his novel, 'A Seperate Peace'. These stylistic tools, more often than not, are used to better communicate the ideas of peace, growth and more open communication.
One example of symbolism John Knowles' A Seprate Peace is from page one. As Gene visits Devon School, he finds it looking oddly newer than when he was a student there fifteen years before. Gene notices that the school has been varnished very well. He says "I didn't entirely like this glossy new surface..."(1). The word Glossy can be defined as having a smooth, shiny, mirror-like appearance. Gene does not like this glossy surface because the surface reflects an image of his life as it used to be fifteen years ago. A friendship torn by lies, an attempt to end a friend's life, deep and bitter rivalry, and even broken bones and promises echo in this glossy surface. These echos allow Gene to reflect on himself and his past mistakes, leaving him regretful. The surface showed a reflection of a boy who would do anything to be on top, whether is be losing a friend or ending a friend's future. Another example of symbolism used by John Knowles is on page four. As Gene walks, he points out that he is alone, out of the school. This shows how Gene's acts of selfishness left him when he left his school; alone and walking through a foggy field, with nothing else in sight. This symbolism of walking away from the school with no one in sight shows the author's deep thought into writing the novel. Gene is alone when leaving Devon because of his actions toward Finny, his only good friend and Devon.
An example of a Simile in John Knowles' A Seprate Peace is from page one. "Preserved along with it, like stale air in an unopened room, was the well known fear which surrounded and filled those days, so much of it that I hadn't even known it there." Gene talks about his school as he walks toward it on this page. The author compares stale air in an unopened room to fearful memories of childhood days. This comparison is appropriate for many reasons. It shows that Gene had left these memories behind him, but is just now realizing he must face what happened to him in Devon. Gene also realizes that many of the fears were not present in his mind until now. This shows that he has just started to reflect on his past. His past is an unopened box at this point; thus, the comparison to stale air.
An example of a Metaphor used by the author is present on page four. ."..I walked alone down the wide gravel paths among those most Republican, bankerish of trees, New England elms, toward the far side of the school."(4) The word Republican can be defined as One who believes in preserving peace through militant action. (UrbanDictionary) This is an appropriate way to describe the tree because the tree itself is the symbol for all of Gene's sorrow. The tree was the location of the first incident between Gene and Finny; ultimately, leading to the bitter ending of a friendship between two friends. In order to preserve thier friendship and peace, Gene jounced the limb on the tree. This act was the begining of an internal battle, or war that preserved peace. This peace can be described as the peace of mind present within Gene when he thought of being number one. This clearly shows how the tree can be compared to a "Republican" way of thought.
A clear example of personification in A Separate Peace is one page six. "The tree was tremendous, an irate, steely black steeple beside the river."(6) Describing the tree as an Irate Steeple shows obvious personification. This example of personification unlocks memories within the character Gene. Gene's memories of a friend falling from the tree, hitting "the bank with a sickening, unnatural thud."(52) Gene has realized that it was his own selfishness that led to Finny's unnecessary fall, and downfall. Gene decribes the tree as irate only because the tree itself was the location where Gene gave off all of his anger. This anger has been taken in by the tree in Gene's mind. The author uses this comparison with deep meaning. The personification now only shows great value on surface, but when analyzed, shows the hatred and egoism present within this one sentence. Another example of personification present in A Separate Peace is present in chapter one. "Now they [the playing fields] reached soggily and emptily away from me..."(5) This is a perfect example of personification that unravels the present day world that Gene lives in. This world is a place away from Devon; therefore, the memories from Devon were abandoned from his mind. Revisiting Devon replenished his memories, causing an uproar within his mind. The fields are thought to reach away from Gene because they have "moved on" so to speak. The fields are not related to Gene anymore, they have a new generation present on them; therefore, they reach soggily away from Gene. Gene sees the fields reaching away because memories of the fields would bring thoughts of a lost friend. This form of personification makes much more sense to the reader who understands the deep thought put into every sentence written by John Knowles.
This is the complete article, containing 863 words
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