Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is? -Reina

Finny falls twice in A Separate Peace but only one of the falls was directly Gene’s fault. When Finny falls for the first time and breaks his leg, his movements are limited from sports, to walking. This fall is Gene’s fault directly, because he shakes the branch. If he hadn’t shaken the branch, Finny would not have fallen because he is said to have perfect balance. “I took a step towards him, and then my knees bent and I jounced the branch.” (60 Knowles) Since Finny’s leg is hurt, his walking is not as stable as it once was. “sweat was running like oil from Finny’s face, and when he paused involuntarily tremors shook his hands and arms.” (112 Knowles)

Now that Finny is unable to walk properly, he has to be very careful not to fall (especially on marble.) After the trial on page 176, Finny storms out of the room enraged at Gene because Gene shook the branch. This fall was not Gene’s fault directly because he did not push him or want this to happen. He even thought the trial was a bad idea and did not want to do it. This fall is slightly Finny’s fault for not being careful enough but also Brinker who most likely knew that this situation would make Finny mad.

However, while both the falls were different in terms of whose fault it was, Finny’s death was mostly Gene’s fault. Had he not jounced the branch, none of these situations would have happened. Finny would not have fallen either times. While his death was unintentional and he did not want Finny to die, Gene still could have handled each situation better.