Phineas Case

In A Separate Peace by John Knowles, one of the most important characters is Phineas. Phineas’ relationship with Gene is the aspect of the novel. His innocence is also a major contributing factor to his ultimate downfall. Phineas can be used as an example of one of the most prominent uses of symbolism in A Separate Peace, which is opposites, or "double".

The aspect of double is very prominent in A Separate Peace. The Devon and Nagunsett rivers being an example. The Devon River is very clean and clear, while the Nagunsett River is dirty and tainted. This symbolizes the relationship between Gene and Phineas. Phineas is the Devon River, his mind is very pure and innocent. Gene is the Nagunsett River, his jealousy of Phineas causing his mind to become fogged, tainting his judgment of right and wrong. Phineas' innocence and the fact that he could not realize what was happening with Gene, is what lead to his downfall.

Phineas is described as almost god-like in the novel. This could be attributed to the fact that Gene is an unreliable narrator. The reader really doesn’t know how much of Phineas is exaggerated because of how much Gene lookes up to him. From what the reader knows about Phineas, is described by Gene, was that he always saw the best in people, and Phineas was very innocent to evil in the world. His inability to see bad in people lead to his injury, and by extension, his death. Even after his leg was broken and Gene was trying to admit to what he did, Phineas won't believe it, so when Brinker tells everyone that Gene broke Phineas’ leg, Phineas still can't believe it so he storms off, breaking his leg again, which leads to the surgery that kills him.

The turning point in the novel was when Gene finally snaps and, whether consciously or unconsciously, decides to shake the branch, causing Phineas to fall.

"Holding firmly to the trunk, I took a step toward him, and then my knees bent