2.) Gene is narrating his own story of what happened when he was in high school. How do a. his perspective (1st person narration) and b. the retrospective (looking back and telling a story as if it were the present) influence you as a reader and how does it impact the credibility or integrity of the story being told?
The first person narration in A Separate Peace adds a personal aspect and insight into Gene's experience at the Devon School. In addition to this, the fact that he is returning fifteen years later allows the reader to have a deep look into how the Devon School has changed Gene, how Gene has been affected by Phineas to this day, and finally how Gene has grown. One example of this happens on page fourteen as Gene says "This was the tree, and it seemed to me standing there to resemble those men, the giants of your childhood, whom you encounter years later and find that they are not merely smaller in relation to your growth, but that they are absolutely smaller, shrunken by age." (Knowles 14) As shown by this quotation, not only has Gene physically changed, but mentally changed due to it. Apart from his physical change altering his mindset, The Devon School has also done the same, and sprouted a love in him for the campus as seen on page 13. "With nothing to block it the wind flung wet gusts at me; at any other time I would have felt like a fool slogging through mud and rain, only to look at a tree." (Knowles 13) This comment made by Gene shows his love for The Devon School and the memories that he has had on its vast campus. He would be willing to freeze and trudge through muddy wet grass, while howling wind threw water at him. This is the dedication that he believes his memories with Finny and company deserve and why his love for his high school experience is so obvious. Another reason that the first person narrative is a strong aspect of the book is that the information about his Devon experience seems very accurate and detailed, as he is the on who lived through it. Especially on pages fourteen to twenty, his description of his jump and the pressure from Finny made the reader truly engaged which strengthened the connection to Gene. Gene is a sentimental character which not only loves The Devon School but interacting with those reading about his experience.
I agree with you about how the first person narration adds a person aspect, and it helps the reader be more involved with the story. With the first person narration, it is easier to step into Gene's shoes. Having Gene come back to the school 15 years later, and have these little flashbacks about his summer at Devon with Finny really shows the effect that Gene had when he attended the Devon School. It shows that Finny and the school shaped him as a person, and that it made him the person he is now. Also, with the first person narrative, the experience at the Devon school is very detail and makes it very clear that it was Gene who went through this. It makes it easier for the reader to connect with Gene.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs my classmates stated, the first person narration helps us really see Gene's point of view. It shows the less told story which is the story of the sidekick rather than the hero. Knowles puts obvious contrasts between the actions and what is said by Gene however so we know that Gene is somewhat distorting the tale of his school experience. It adds the effect of sad reminiscing and is very easy to relate to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my classmates here. It is definitely relatable to be told in the first person. It is also interesting to be viewing the story from the point of view of a character whose opinions change very often, which can sometimes be confusing. When Gene says that he was glad that Finny saved his life, then quickly switched to being upset with Finny for being there in the first place, it supplies two different perspectives, even though it is coming from just one person.
ReplyDelete