A Separate Peace Chapter 12 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

At the beginning, who shouted that Phineas should not be moved?

Brinker

Who lives across the common, is the wrestling coach, and is an expert in first aid?

Phil Latham

What did Brinker tell Gene to go back and grab from the assembly room?

Any kind of blanket

What was Gene thinking while Phil Latham wrapped Finny in the blanket?

He would have wanted to be the one to wrap Finny in the blanket, 'it would have meant a lot to me' Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Gene help with Finny?

He thought Finny would curse him a lot Signup and view all the answers

What was weird about Finny while in the staircase?

He was conscious and he seemed to be very calm Signup and view all the answers

Which doctor came to examine Finny?

Dr. Stanpole Signup and view all the answers

What did people carry Finny in to get him to Dr. Stanpole's car? Why was it weird?

A chair; people aren't normally carried in chairs in New Hampshire Signup and view all the answers

What did Dr. Stanpole say about the fall before he left with Finny?

He said the leg broke again, but he thinks it's a much cleaner break, 'a simple fracture' Signup and view all the answers

Who all left in the car to go to the infirmary?

Dr. Stanpole, Phil Latham and Finny Signup and view all the answers

Who came outside and told the boys to go back to bed?

Mr. Ludsbury Signup and view all the answers

Where did Gene go once the car left?

He took a secret 'back way' to the infirmary Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene see when he was walking past the infirmary parking lot? What was he thinking?

He saw Dr. Stanpole's car running. He thought about stealing it and driving away. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene have to do to see through the infirmary window?

Jump Signup and view all the answers

Who all was in Finny's room?

Finny, Dr. Stanpole, Phil Latham, and a night nurse (Miss Windbag) Signup and view all the answers

Who was always speaking?

Miss Windbag and Dr. Stanpole Signup and view all the answers

Who never spoke, and when they did speak, what did they always say?

Phil Latham; 'Give it the old college try' Signup and view all the answers

What college did Phil Latham go to? For how long?

Harvard; One year Signup and view all the answers

What was the funny thing Gene came up with regarding Devon?

The Decrepit Devon Endeavor Signup and view all the answers

What was wrong with the way Dr. Stanpole talked?

His vocabulary was too large Signup and view all the answers

While the three adults were working on getting Finny situated, how did Finny answer their questions?

He answered them in Latin saying weird and funny things Signup and view all the answers

Why did Gene put his hand over his mouth and bite down on his hand?

He was laughing so hard and he didn't want anyone to hear him Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene notice when he was laughing?

There were tears streaming down his hand Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene do once everyone left Finny's room?

He went to the window and opened it, but he didn't go in Signup and view all the answers

After Finny struggled to get out of bed (and couldn't in the end), what did he say to Gene?

You want to break something else in me? Signup and view all the answers

How many times did Gene say he was sorry before shutting the window and laying down in the grass outside it?

Three times Signup and view all the answers

One Gene's slow walk home, what did he notice?

The landscape and buildings became brief flashes of unknown places Signup and view all the answers

The way Gene was moving around the grounds was compared to what?

A roaming ghost Signup and view all the answers

Where did Gene go to spend the night?

Under the stadium Signup and view all the answers

When Gene got back to his room the next morning, what was in his door?

A note from Dr. Stanpole saying to bring Finny clothes as his toilet things Signup and view all the answers

While walking to the infirmary, what was Gene thinking?

He was thinking that people do a lot of bad things Signup and view all the answers

Before Gene walked into Finny's room, what did he think related to the war?

'This is it' Signup and view all the answers

How was Finny acting when Gene first walked in?

He was showing no emotion; no time of friendliness or unfriendliness Signup and view all the answers

What made Gene start talking to Finny in the room?

When he saw Finny's hand shaking while trying to pick up a hairbrush Signup and view all the answers

Why did Gene go to the infirmary the night of the accident?

Because he thought he belonged there with Finny Signup and view all the answers

What did Finny say in his fit of frustration?

He wished there wasn't a war, he sent application letters to every branch of military and every different region (other than Russia) to see if they would accept him Signup and view all the answers

Where were the letters back to Finny sent to? What did they all say?

The post office; No, because of his medical records Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene say to Finny about him being in the war?

Gene said that Finny wouldn't be good in the war, even if he didn't have a broken leg. He said he would mix up uniforms and turn everyone against everyone. Signup and view all the answers

What does Finny believe?

That Gene didn't mean anything behind knocking him off the tree Signup and view all the answers

When did Dr. Stanpole say to come back? Why?

5:00. It's after his anesthesia wears off Signup and view all the answers

What does Gene do while waiting for 5:00?

Goes to his classes. Goes to the gym and wrestles (Phil Latham teaches him a method to escape a hold). Reads a story. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Gene supposed to go at 5:00? Why?

The scheduled meeting of the Commencement Arrangements Committee. Because people want him to take Brinker's place. Signup and view all the answers

What was weird about the infirmary halls?

No one was in them Signup and view all the answers

What did Dr. Stanpole tell Gene?

Finny died in the middle of his operation Signup and view all the answers

What was the most probable reason for Finny's death?

Bone marrow got into his blood during surgery; his heart stopped. Signup and view all the answers

What was Gene's reaction to Finny's death?

He did not cry Signup and view all the answers

During Finny's funeral, what did Gene think/feel?

He felt that it was as if it was his own funeral Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Events

Brinker shouted that Phineas should not be moved, showing concern for his friend's well-being.
Phil Latham, the wrestling coach and first aid expert, was present to assist with Finny.
Brinker instructed Gene to retrieve any kind of blanket from the assembly room for Finny.

Gene's Reflections

While Phil Latham wrapped Finny in the blanket, Gene wished he could have been the one to do it, indicating his emotional connection to Finny.
Gene hesitated to help Finny, fearing that Finny would curse him.

Finny's Condition and Actions

Finny was conscious and calm while in the staircase, which was unusual given his situation.
Dr. Stanpole was the physician who came to examine Finny after the accident.

Transportation and Medical Insights

Finny was carried in a chair to Dr. Stanpole's car, which is atypical in New Hampshire.
Dr. Stanpole assessed Finny's injury, noting it was a "cleaner break" classified as a "simple fracture."

Interactions with Authority Figures

Mr. Ludsbury ordered the boys to return to bed after the incident.
Gene secretly used a backway to the infirmary, reflecting his desire to be close to Finny.

Gene's Internal Struggles

As Gene walked past the infirmary parking lot, he contemplated stealing Dr. Stanpole's running car.
Gene had to jump to see through the infirmary window, emphasizing his urgency to be present.

Room Dynamics and Conversations

In Finny's room were Finny, Dr. Stanpole, Phil Latham, and a night nurse, Miss Windbag.
Miss Windbag and Dr. Stanpole engaged in dialogue while Phil Latham offered little speech except for a repeated phrase about perseverance.

Gene's Reaction to Humor

Finny answered questions in Latin, prompting Gene to suppress laughter by biting his hand, leading to tears streaming down his face.
After everyone left, Gene opened the window but chose not to enter the room.

Emotional Breakdown

Finny, after a struggle, questioned Gene, reflecting feelings of betrayal by asking if Gene wanted to break something else in him.
Gene expressed three apologies before shutting the window and lying in the grass outside.

Loneliness and Reflection

Gene noted that the scenery transformed into fleeting images on his slow walk home, giving a sense of disorientation.
His movements were likened to that of a roaming ghost, illustrating his emotional turmoil.

Hospital Developments and Thoughts

Overnight, Gene took refuge under the stadium, seeking solace.
A note from Dr. Stanpole awaited him, instructing him to bring clothes for Finny's recovery.

War and Guilt

During his walk to the infirmary, Gene reflected on the prevalence of wrongdoing in human nature.
Before entering Finny's room, he thought ominously, "This is it," relating to the gravity of the moment.

Finny's Behavior and Gene's Guilt

Finny displayed a neutral demeanor upon Gene's entrance, devoid of friendliness which signified their strained relationship.
Gene initiated conversation when noticing Finny’s hand shake, revealing his emotional struggle.

Attempt to Connect

Gene felt compelled to visit the infirmary that night, indicating his loyalty to Finny.
In frustration, Finny voiced his desire to escape the war, lamenting unsuccessful attempts to enlist due to his injuries.

The Realization of Loss

Finny’s letters were all returned with refusals due to his medical history.
Gene bluntly told Finny he would have struggled in the war, highlighting their contrasting views on bravery.

Final Moments and Tragedy

Dr. Stanpole instructed Gene to return at 5:00 PM post-anesthesia, as Finny's condition was serious.
Gene spent the waiting hours in classes and wrestling practice, showcasing his distraction from impending grief.

Infirmary Atmosphere

Gene entered eerily empty infirmary halls, reinforcing a sense of foreboding.
Dr. Stanpole informed Gene of Finny's death during surgery, leading to a profound emotional silence from Gene.

Conclusion of Loss

Bone marrow entering Finny's bloodstream was determined as the likely cause of death.
Gene’s reaction to Finny's passing was numbness; he did not cry, indicating deep internalized grief.
At Finny's funeral, Gene felt as though he was at his own funeral, highlighting the deep connection he had with Finny.

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Test your knowledge on Chapter 12 of 'A Separate Peace'! This quiz includes key events and characters that shape the chapter's themes. It's a great way to reinforce your understanding of the text.