Podcast
Questions and Answers
What happened to Phineas' leg from the fall?
What happened to Phineas' leg from the fall?
It was shattered.
Why did everyone talk to Gene about Phineas' leg? (2 reasons)
Why did everyone talk to Gene about Phineas' leg? (2 reasons)
He was right beside him when it happened and he was his roommate.
How did the injury seem to affect the masters?
How did the injury seem to affect the masters?
Deeper than other disasters because it was unfair that it would strike one of the 16-year-olds.
Who suspected Gene of causing the injury to Phineas?
Who suspected Gene of causing the injury to Phineas?
Why does Gene think Phineas hasn't told on him? (2 reasons)
Why does Gene think Phineas hasn't told on him? (2 reasons)
What did Gene decide to put on when he was dressing for dinner one evening?
What did Gene decide to put on when he was dressing for dinner one evening?
When Gene looked in the mirror, who had he become?
When Gene looked in the mirror, who had he become?
How did Gene sleep after putting on Phineas' clothing?
How did Gene sleep after putting on Phineas' clothing?
What was Gene struggling with in Chapter 5?
What was Gene struggling with in Chapter 5?
Who does Dr. Stanpole let visit Phineas?
Who does Dr. Stanpole let visit Phineas?
What did the doctor tell Gene about Phineas' condition?
What did the doctor tell Gene about Phineas' condition?
What does the doctor say Gene has to help Phineas face?
What does the doctor say Gene has to help Phineas face?
How did Gene react to learning there was no hope of Phinny playing sports again?
How did Gene react to learning there was no hope of Phinny playing sports again?
Who did Phineas want to see?
Who did Phineas want to see?
Why does Gene think Phinny wants to see him?
Why does Gene think Phinny wants to see him?
How did Gene react to seeing Phineas' left leg in bindings and suspended a little above the bed?
How did Gene react to seeing Phineas' left leg in bindings and suspended a little above the bed?
Why didn't Gene black out?
Why didn't Gene black out?
How did Phineas look to Gene in the bed?
How did Phineas look to Gene in the bed?
What did Finny ask Gene?
What did Finny ask Gene?
How did Gene respond as to why he was looking so sick?
How did Gene respond as to why he was looking so sick?
Why did Finny fall according to him?
Why did Finny fall according to him?
Why did Gene think Finny wanted to get hold of him?
Why did Gene think Finny wanted to get hold of him?
Why did Finny want to grab hold of Gene?
Why did Finny want to grab hold of Gene?
What did Gene say he tried to do?
What did Gene say he tried to do?
What expression did Finny see on Gene's face when he fell?
What expression did Finny see on Gene's face when he fell?
What did Finny say made him fall?
What did Finny say made him fall?
What is the new personal decalogue Finny must have?
What is the new personal decalogue Finny must have?
Gene didn't tell Finny what he wanted to tell him in the hospital. Why?
Gene didn't tell Finny what he wanted to tell him in the hospital. Why?
How did Gene spend summer break?
How did Gene spend summer break?
Where did Gene decide to go when he reached Boston by train?
Where did Gene decide to go when he reached Boston by train?
How was Finny's house?
How was Finny's house?
How did Finny react to Gene's visit?
How did Finny react to Gene's visit?
What did Finny think Gene brought?
What did Finny think Gene brought?
How did Finny look now that he was home?
How did Finny look now that he was home?
What did Gene say happened in the south?
What did Gene say happened in the south?
Where did Gene wish he could tell Finny the truth?
Where did Gene wish he could tell Finny the truth?
Why did Gene tell Finny he was thinking about Finny and the accident all summer?
Why did Gene tell Finny he was thinking about Finny and the accident all summer?
What did Gene confess?
What did Gene confess?
What did Finny say to the confession?
What did Finny say to the confession?
What does Gene want Finny to do?
What does Gene want Finny to do?
Why did Gene leave?
Why did Gene leave?
How was Gene hurting Finny again?
How was Gene hurting Finny again?
When did Finny say he'd be back at Devon?
When did Finny say he'd be back at Devon?
What excuse did Gene use to leave Finny's house?
What excuse did Gene use to leave Finny's house?
When Finny said 'You aren't going to start living by the rules, are you?' what did Gene say and think?
When Finny said 'You aren't going to start living by the rules, are you?' what did Gene say and think?
Study Notes
Phineas' Injury
- Phineas' leg was shattered due to a fall from a tree branch.
- Gene was questioned about the incident as he was with Phineas during the fall and they were roommates.
Emotional Impact
- The injury affected the masters deeply, seen as unfair since Phineas was a bright, free-spirited 16-year-old in the summer of 1942.
- Gene struggled with guilt over his role in Phineas' injury by shaking the branch, reflecting on his actions throughout Chapter 5.
Gene's Transformation
- In a moment of confusion, Gene dons Phineas' clothing, including cordovan shoes and a pink shirt, and feels like he becomes Phineas looking back in the mirror.
- After wearing the clothes, Gene slept easily, contrasted by his inner turmoil regarding the injury.
Hospital Visit
- Dr. Stanpole permits Gene to visit Phineas, but only peers, not teachers, can see him.
- The doctor reassures Gene that Phineas will walk again but can no longer participate in sports, which devastates Gene.
Phineas' Reaction
- Upon seeing Phineas' injured state, Gene nearly faints but regains composure when Phineas greets him lightheartedly.
- Phineas appears diminished and tan-less compared to his usual self, prompting an unexpected apology regarding his feelings before the fall.
Relationship Dynamics
- Gene believes Phineas wanted to see him to confront and accuse him of causing the accident.
- Finny expresses regret about falling, attributing it to something vague that jiggled leading him to believe he could reach Gene for support.
Confession and Consequences
- Gene admits to having intentionally jounced the limb, leading to Finny's fall; Phineas initially brushes off the confession, responding with disbelief.
- Gene’s desire for Finny to retaliate signifies his guilt and need for absolution, but Finny dismisses him and expresses frustration at Gene's accusations.
Summer Break and Return
- Gene spends summer break in a state of reverie, reflecting on the incident and its ramifications while visiting Finny at home after returning from a trip.
- Finny's home is characteristically proper and he is seen as an invalid, indicating the severity of his condition.
Emotional Conflicts
- Gene struggles with wanting to share the truth about the accident in a less intimate setting than Finny's home but ultimately confesses his guilt.
- Finny’s disbelief and Gene’s internal conflict highlight the complexities of their friendship, leading to Gene leaving after a confrontation filled with hurt.
Closing Thoughts
- Finny expresses hope to return to Devon by Thanksgiving, while Gene contemplates his actions and the weight of his guilt.
- Finny's questioning of Gene's commitment to rules implies underlying tensions about conformity and authenticity in their friendship.
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Description
Test your understanding of Chapter 5 in 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles. This chapter explores the implications of Phineas' injury and Gene's emotional turmoil associated with it. Delve into the characters' transformations and the impact of guilt on their friendship.
