Thesis Statement: As shown by John Knowles, in the war era novel “A Separate Peace,” unneeded tension and anger can originate from a loss of logic and a sense of stability.

Talk about why I chose unnecessary tension
- prevalent to the novel
- Finny’s friendly mindset and Gene’s envious one

Talk about why I chose anger
- Gene not letting things be the way they are
- ultimately letting anger turn into action; tree incident and Finny’s death

Go into depth about the tension between the boys and why it is unnecessary and negative

Gene’s jealousy and envy leads him to believe finny is the enemy.


Like people today simple arguments can turn into fights

Paul Witherington of the English Journal says that: “The relationship between Finny and Gene is said to be one of primitive innocence confronted with and eventually destroyed by the necessities of civilization”

Much like arguments today, tempers tend to flare.

God teaches us to be slow to anger and merciful

Bible verse: Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19-21).


Explain the verse and why I chose it

Gene expends all his anger onto Finny at one time and doesn’t feel like he is his best friend.



Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.

Over time Gene grows further and further away from Finny.



The Porton Family writes that: “Gene frames understanding the other and seeing though the other as a weapon that gives him a clear advantage in his battle with the other, who is now seen as the enemy”

Bible Verse: What causes quarrels and what causes fights amongst you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you did not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (James 4:1-3).


Gene murders his best friend out of jealousy and anger.

God teaches us to be slow to anger but also to work as a union under him to become successful.

You’ll never get anywhere being angry and driving people away

I will certainly apply this to my everyday life.



If we all work together we can do many excellent things to brighten our future as well as the generations to come.