Abstract The paper focuses on the theme of life's contrasts in "A SeparatePeace", by JohnKnowles. The paper portrays how these contrasts are shown by contrasting characters, contrasting seasons and good vs. evil. The paper describes the main characters, Gene and Finny and the Devon School where the novel takes place.
From the Paper "Life's contrasts could be compared to a big box of crayons. They are varied from bright colors to pastel shades, and life's colors change with each day (Smithwick). Life's contrasts help build character, help to reveal who a person really is, and is experienced by most everyone on a daily basis. In the novel A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, the main characters are two teenagers, Gene and Finny. The story takes place in the 1940's at a prep school called Devon. Gene and Finny are best friends who are trying to figure each other out. A major theme of this book is life's contrasts, which is shown by contrasting characters, contrasting seasons, and good vs. evil."
Abstract The paper outlines twelve major events in chronological order in JohnKnowles' book, "A SeparatePeace", and explores their significance. The paper highlights the ideas of coming-of-age as an adult, personal transformations and about friends finding fulfillment through each other. The paper shows how the story is about being forced to confront painful realities; war, human frailty and the loss of innocence being chief among them.
Outline:
First Major Event: The Return to Devon
Second Event: Climbing up the Tree (the Second Climb)
Third Event: Finny's Confession of Friendship and Gene's Hesitation
Fourth Event: Gene Flunks the Trigonometry Test
Fifth Event: Finny's Fall
Sixth Event: The Visit in the Infirmary and the Failed Confession
Seventh Event: The Confession at Finny's Home in Boston
Eighth Event: Gene's Decision to Enlist - and how It Is Interrupted by Finny's Return
Ninth Event: Gene Decides to Become an Olympic Athlete
Tenth Event: the Fight with Leper at Leper's Home in Vermont
Eleventh Event: the Tribunal
Twelfth Event: Finny's Death
From the Paper "In chapter one, the narrator of the story returns to the elite Devon school campus in New Hampshire 15 years after graduation. Upon his return, the narrator is re-introduced to the fear he felt at the time (he was a student during the height of the Second World War) and he is prompted to recollect the summer of 1942 when his room-mate, Phineas or "Finny," persuaded him to jump off the branch of a tree found on the Devon campus; the tree, as it turns out, is located right beside a river and it is into the river that one must jump. Ultimately, the act of jumping into the river, and the wrestling that Finny and the narrator do afterwards, causes them to miss dinner that evening."
Tags: war, human, frailty, innocence, friendships, fulfillment
Abstract This paper focuses on three passages from the novel. By examining these passages the writer shows how each segment of Knowles' work completes many tasks simultaneously-- each paints an experience, divulges character, conjures moods, promotes narrative, is vibrant with imagery, innovative in technique, and masterfully constructs theme.
From the Paper "This passage re-creates the student's experience at almost any school. Everyone, at least once, has envied someone else's gifts. At the same time, however, it shows that Gene is a much darker character, and much more involved in analysis of the world around him than Finny is. Furthermore, by using words like "enmity" and ?coldly,? Knowles sets the macabre mood that must necessarily be present, in this the scene that creates an emotional foundation for Finny's fall. For, indeed, once Gene discovers that Finny does not share his ?deadly rivalry,? his envy becomes stronger and more embittered, and it is during this second envy that Finny falls."
Abstract The writer discusses the book as it traces the progression of the main character from childhood to adulthood. The paper uses passages from the book to illustrate the growth of Gene in relation to his friendship with Phineas. According to the writer, Gene is forced to adopt more mature concepts as he encounters jealousy rage, and the eventual propensity to harm his friend.
From the Paper "In the classic bildungsroman the reader follows the main character from childhood to adulthood. John Knowles? A Separate Peace manges to capture this journey as taking place within the space of less than a year. The novel describes the struggle of two prep school students, Phineas (Finny) and Gene, to deal with the treachery of one and the effects it has on both of them. Gene's envy of his friend leads him to cause great harm to Finny. Ultimately Gene is forced to accept adult notions of morality and to leave childhood behind."
Tags: growth, development, jealousy, adolescence, students
This paper details the similarities and differences in the portrayal of adolescents over the span of 400 years in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and JohnKnowles' "A SeparatePeace."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the depiction of adolescents in two particular works of literature written within a span of 400 years. This paper explores the key emotional factors of the teenage characters of both novels and details the similarities and difference in both works of writing. The writer asserts that when Shakespeare wrote "Romeo and Juliet" the average life span was much shorter than it is today, which resulted in teens assuming more adult responsibilities at a far younger age. This paper also delves into teenage infatuation and romance and examines whether these particular emotions and feelings have changed over the years. This paper contains relevant plot and character information for both "Romeo and Juliet" and "A SeparatePeace."
From the Paper "Those who would argue that teenagers today are much different than those Shakespeare describes could point to the fact that the Renaissance adolescents took themselves much m ore seriously. Critics of my position might point out that Romeo and Juliet is about real love and A Separate Peace isn't about love at all. However, I must point out that in this modern novel, where modern teenagers interact in many ways, they never seem to think or talk much about girls, and yet there is still-without any homosexual overtones-a story of romantic passion. Gene loves Finny much as Romeo loves Juliet. As with all infatuated teenagers, much of their love is in their minds. Their feelings get confused; they act reflexively, unthinkingly, immaturely; and Romeo, Juliet, and Finny all end up dead."
Abstract An extreme contrast can be observed between the bereaved Peter at the beginning of the film, "Finding Neverland", as opposed to the Peter who once again suffers loss at the end. The pattern of Peter's relationships conforms perfectly to John Bowlby's concepts of attachment, separation and loss. This paper analyzes the relationships of the main character, Peter, in the film "Finding Neverland", a story loosely based on the real life story of J.M. Barrie, the author of "Peter Pan". The analyses are based on John Bolwby's theories of attachment, separation, and loss.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England and he is arguably one of the greatest artists of all time. The writer points out that not only was Lennon one of the most influential musicians of his time, he was also a very influential anti-war activist during the Vietnam War. The writer studies the film, 'The U.S. Vs John Lennon', which documents Lennon's life with a particular focus on his anti-war efforts and how the U.S. government responded to these efforts. The writer maintains that the main point in 'The U.S. Vs John Lennon' was to show the lengths that the U.S. government was willing to take to attempt to silence Lennon in speaking out against the Vietnam War.
From the Paper "In 1972, 18-year olds were given their first chance to vote. Lennon and his friends saw this as a perfect opportunity to hold anti-war protests in order to influence this new class of voters who happened to be the majority of his fan base. The idea was to influence people to vote against the Nixon administration and therefore bring someone else to power who would stop the war. A rock concert tour preaching peace was organized to coincide with the 1972 presidential election tour. Nixon and his administration were determined to not let this happen. In February 1972, a republican senator, Strom Thurmond had the idea that the government could deport Lennon back to England and therefore solve the problem. The majority of the film focuses on the various attempts to deport Lennon and therefore silence his anti-war preaching. The US Vs John Lennon DVD includes a number of outtakes which if included, would have given the film a different perspective."
"There are subtle hints within the film where the creators are attempting to compare the Nixon administration to the Bush administration."
A critical analysis of the meaning of human existence within "Separating" by John Updike, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Ernest Hemingway and "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" by Richard Wright.
Abstract This paper discusses the meaning of human existence, as presented in twentieth century literature. In particular, it focuses on the issue as discussed in "Separating" by John Updike, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" by Ernest Hemingway and "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" by Richard Wright. The paper also discusses the extent to which the writer agrees or disagrees with these authors' implied ideas.
From the Paper " Richard Wright's short story ""The Man Who Was Almost a Man", like John Updike's "Separating", is a story about one character's pursuit of happiness and in this case "manhood" at the expense of other characters. In this story, the viewpoint character, 17-year-old Dave Saunders has yearned to own a gun, as a sign of his "manhood". Dave finally acquires one with money his mother gives him. Dave has also promised to turn over the gun to his mother once he buys it, but he does not. Instead, Dave goes out into the field where his family works, for Mr. Hawkins, and accidentally shoots to death Mr. Hawkins's mule, Jenny. After Dave finally gets his wish to have his own gun, however, his new sense of "manhood" quickly vanishes for reasons Dave himself (or his family) never would have imagined."
Abstract This paper surveys the development of the personal characteristics and shortcomings in both Adam and Eve in Book Four of John Milton's "Paradise Lost". These shortcomings inevitably lead to the fall in Book Nine. This paper focuses on the crucial moments directly following Eve's birth, and her subsequent actions thereafter, which foreshadow the conflict in Book Nine. The paper pays particular attention to Eve's questioning and narcissistic nature and Adam's naivety. It concludes that Adam and Eve were created to fall.
From the Paper "There are significant differences between Adam and Eve's first moments. Whereas Adam comes into this world equipped with innate, a priori, knowledge, Eve seems to be lacking any kind of understanding. Adam is able to form concepts, whereas Eve "feels" things, but can not make any conceptual definitions of the world. In Book Eight, from lines 268 and on, we see that Adam is surveying himself, exercising the knowledge he arrived with. He finds he is able to speak and name everything he sees. This knowledge allows him to conclude that God created everything. Eve, on the other hand, has nothing but sensations. This puts her in a position to want knowledge, and to claim that knowledge as her own."
Tags: eden poetry, the fall, sin knowledge innocence
Abstract This paper examines the life of John Brown, his actions before the Civil War; the insurrection he led on Harper's Ferry and its aftermath. The paper analyzes how he was named a terrorist, and how he murdered numerous civilians, including at least one of those he claimed to be wanting to help with his effort to create a separate state for freed slaves.
From the Paper "In the era leading up to the Civil War, slave-owners and abolitionists clashed openly. One individual led a band of abolitionist believers in a series of raids, openly beginning a small war because the North was not yet ready to challenge the South. He would be identified later as the Father of Terrorism, taking unilateral action to impose his views and to attack the U.S. military as a move to take territory under his control. He was John Brown. John Brown, known as the scourge of Kansas, led 18 followers, black and white, in a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. His intent was to capture the armory there, distribute arms to the slaves, and create a black republic in the mountains of Virginia. The group was partially successful, but no slaves joined them and Brown was captured after a two-day siege."
Abstract This essay looks at people who have turned trauma and pain into a positive experience. It discusses the work of Mairead Corrigan Maguire who organised peaceful demonstrations in N.Ireland, wrote poetry that inspired millions and through her efforts to develop a "politics of mercy and forgiveness," won a Nobel Peace prize. The author goes on to discuss the wording of Martin Jordan's poem "The changes in our lives".
From the paper:
" Everyone wants peace in his or her everyday live. Sometimes peace is hard to come by for some people. However, Some individuals react to their pain in a positive way. For example, Irish writers Mairead Maguire and Martin Jordan write poetry about peace due the tragedies for the world and in their lives. So, in Misread Maguire's ?The Vision of Peace? and Martin Jordan's "the changes in our lives" the main goal is to remind everyone that there should be peace all over of the world despite all of the pain we encounter."
Abstract This paper discusses obnoxious negative peace and substantive positive peace. These terms are found in a letter by Martin Luther King, Jr. expressing his opinion on direct action. Martin Luther King believed it was important to fight for substantive and positive peace for African Americans and it is important for Americans to continue to fight the battle for substantive and positive peace not only in America but throughout the world.
From the Paper "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (King 1963). What does this quotation mean? What is the difference obnoxious negative peace and substantive and positive peace? Why are these important today? These were important terms for Martin Luther King and they are important terms today. Martin Luther King believed that whatever affects one person actually affects every one else (King 1963). Many people living during the lifetime of Martin Luther King was willing to close their eyes to the violence and terrorism happening to African Americans. They believed that African Americans were wrong in taking a stand toward wanting their independence. Martin Luther King believed it was important to fight for substantive and positive peace for African Americans and it is important for Americans to continue to fight the battle for substantive and positive peace not only in America but throughout the world."
Abstract Woodrow Wilson did not possess the will to maintain peace after the Great War. The writer asserts that there were three ways in which Wilson contributed to the build-up of tensions before WWII. First was Wilson's failure in responding to the members of the Peace Accords in relation to the redrawing of German boundaries; his influence in tearing away predominantly German areas resulted in the planting of seeds for future war. The second reason that Wilson could not maintain peace was his inability to remove himself from partisan politics in America. The third reason was in relation to Wilson's "Fourteen Points", more specifically, the point of ?self-determination.? Close examination of these three points shows why Wilson is partly responsible for WWII.
From the Paper "The Great War was a war of attrition. Many brave men on all both sides of the conflict, Axis and Allied Powers, met their fate fighting for their homelands during the years of 1914-1918. Never before had the world seen such a horrid war fought in the grand scope and magnitude of nations versus nations. Great sacrifices were made in part to the loss of human life through mechanization of artillery to the inception of chemical warfare. (Would such a tragic lesson be reason enough for peace among sovereigns?) Unfortunately, the peace was not afforded to the constituents of the Paris conference, nor those that threw away their lives in the second war that shortly followed in 1939. While there were many causes for the Second World War, it would be a herculean effort to name and attribute them all. A few of the major causes included the onset of war reparations since repayment would be next to impossible for the Germans to meet in the allotted time. Secondly were the sanctions imposed upon the size of the German military which was considered a measure of further alienation, and thirdly were territorial settlement disputes. All three factors were great causes that angered the Nazis to disregard the Peace Accords in the early 1930's with Hitler's rise to power."
Abstract This paper examines how, after more than a quarter-century after the end of American military involvement in Vietnam, the Vietnam War remains a great unsettled question in American public life. It focuses in particular on the peace negotiations that eventually bought the war to an end when agreement was finally reached, in 1973, in the form of the Paris Peace Accords. It analyzes how the United States in effect accepted formal victory with the likelihood of deferred defeat, while North Vietnam accepted formal defeat with the likelihood of deferred victory.
Outline
Looking For a Way Out
The Options
Early Negotiation Efforts
From Johnson to Nixon
Endgame
From the Paper "Thus, in the case of Vietnam, when the United States signed the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, it did so in the face of two alternative options that resembled each other only in being undesirable. One option was continuing direct American military involvement for the foreseeable future; the other was withdrawal of American forces without negotiations. The first entailed an indefinite continuation of American combat casualties and consequent (and probably growing) domestic unrest and political dissension. The second implied the probable near-immediate collapse of South Vietnam (as well as possible abandonment of American prisoners of war), with its own set of international and domestic consequences."
Abstract This paper explains that Leo Tolstoy, in his novel, "War and Peace", emphasizes the underlying theme of freedom through the character of Pierre. Specifically, the paper points out that Tolstoy illustrates through Pierre how people come to discover the truth of life through experience. The paper concludes that Pierre discovers that, while peace, freedom and happiness are attainable, they are not always easy to get.
From the Paper "Another aspect of Pierre's life that illustrates his transformation form war to peace with his own internal war that coincides with the actual around him. Pierre looses his grip on reality and begins to drink. In this way, we can see how his life has entered into a "war" phase. He not only witnesses a physical war, he undergoes a mental one as well. He looses faith in mankind and is on a downward spiral. He drinks to escape his mental oppression. His mental state worsens as he becomes convinced that he must assassinate Napoleon."
