What does the conversation about enlisting reveal about Finny and Gene’s relationship (p107-108)? Provide at least two specific examples. (Reina)

Gene and Finny’s conversation reveals that Finny needs and wants Gene more than Gene thinks. Gene is often skeptical of his relationship with Finny. It is clear that Gene admires Finny to the point of jealousy. Gene wants to be Finny’s best friend and even states it as “a compliment to me, as a matter of fact, to have such a person choose me for his best friend” (Knowles 11). Gene often attempts to identify himself as Finny by dressing in his clothes and acting like him and it is evident that he needs Finny to push him out of his boundaries.

However, in this exchange between  Finny and Gene, a different side of their friendship is shown. Finny is for shown to actually care about the consequences. Although the consequences are different as opposed to getting in trouble by a teacher, he fears for losing Gene. “‘Enlist!” cried Finny at the same time. His large and clear eyes turned with an odd expression on me. I had never seen such a look in them before…”You thought you might sign up?” he went on looking carefully away” (Knowles 107).

Gene is surprised to learn that Finny was afraid. Finny is not afraid to get in trouble or fall out of a tree, but the idea of losing Gene scares him. It is only now that Gene sees that Finny actually cares about being without him. “Phineas was shocked at the idea of my leaving. In some way he needed me.” This causes Gene to completely rule out the idea of enlisting and it shows that Finny still influences Gene more than anything else.