Part of this reading focuses on Leper. How is he characterized? What do we learn about him? Provide some specific details from the reading to support your answer.
Gene describes Leper as if Leper lives in his own world. Leper often just stares around and does whatever he feels he should do, regardless of what other people would think. "You know what? I did find it, "his smile was wide and unfocused, as though not for me alone but for anyone and anything which wished to share this pleasure with him, "and it was really interesting to see" (Knowles 99). When I picture Leper, I think of somebody who is always looking around, unfocused, not paying attention to anyone but himself. Once Gene explains how during Chapel Leper is just sitting by himself drawing sketches. Leper is characterized as a person who seems a little out of it and lives in his own world.
I think Leper represents the more innocent side of Finny and Gene's friend group. Although he is a senior, he is not focusing on preparing himself for the war or constantly studying like Gene. He is somewhat naive and just does what interests him. For example, on page 93, on his way to shovel snow, Gene comes across Leper. Leper is skiing, not particularly to go downhill, but he wants to find a beaver dam. This shows that he is not the typical teenage boy during the time period.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caleb that Leper is not one to follow the status quo, and I feel as though this is because he is still in his own separate peace. Gene states “Leper stands out for me as the person who was the most often and most emphatically taken by surprise” (Knowles 93). Leper is holding on to Devon so tightly that every tiny shift in his daily life shocks him. He does not want his adolescence to end, and once he leaves Devon he will have to leave his separate peace and go to the war. How will Leper adjust to battlefield life?
ReplyDeleteMy fellow classmates and I are aligned in beliefs concerning Leper. I believe Knowles has included this character to show contrast. Leper lets the reader know that there are kids more introverted and different then Gene. Leper's character is built up to be very scared and shy. For example after Finny tells Gene that Leper is going to jump, Gene says "Leper Lepellier would go down paralyzed with panic on any sinking trooship before making such a jump. Leper makes Gene seem exactly in the middle of all levels, which is what I believe Knowles was intending to do.
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