Denial in A Separate Peace Essay

In A Separate Peace, John Knowles enlightens readers on human existence by displaying how defense mechanism allows a person to stray from reality. Numerous cases of denial overwhelm and test characters assurances of their own presence. Characters such as Gene Forrester and Phineas (Finny) fail to acknowledge denial, so that their naivet prohibits them from identifying the truth. Eventually, component part causes each to face his own guilt, embarrassment, and disbelief.As the novel progresses Gene Forrester, the main character, continuously rejects the idea of being a savage underneath. Gene has a somewhat dark streak in his nature, which triggers him to lash out at innocent people. He intentionally jounces the limb of a tree while Finny, his scoop out friend, is standing at the edge make Finny to plummet and break his leg. This vicious act permanently damages Finny, to that degree Gene refuses the contemplation of being malicious.You forever were a savage underneath. I always k new that only I neveradmitted it. But in the last few weeksI admitted a hell of a lot to myselfIts you we happen to be talking about now. care a savage underneathlike that time you knocked Finny out of the treeLike that time youcrippled him for life. pg. 137Elwin Leper Lepellier, another main character, attempts to inform Gene of his inner malevolence, however, he never is able to come to terms with this, not even xv years later.A controversy between mind and compassion prevents Gene from confessing his hatred, guilt, and envy towards Phineas. His mind could not comprehend how his heart could ruin such an important, yet remarkable companionship.It wasnt my neck, but my understanding which was menaced. Finny hadNever been jealous of me for a second. Now I knew that there never wasand never could have been any tilt between us. I was not of the samequality as he. pg. 51Gene considers that he is not of the same quality as he Finny. He feels he cannot live up to the supremeness of Phi neas. Finny never attempts to hurt Gene instead bears in mind how to assist Gene. He somewhat regrets his previous actions, causing him to begin denying such wickedness. Gene finally comes to terms with his resentment at the trial. He confesses to Finny that his prior negations where false. Although not completely, Gene Forrester at last concedes his denial and whole caboodle attentively to discover and repair his unwanted characteristic.The benevolent Phineas experiences a great deal of denial as the novel proceeds. He refuses to suppose two facts Gene, his outflank friend, causing his accident and the presence of the war. Finny is a loyal, trustworthy, caring companion and considers to be the same he feels all people are innately good. He cannot believe that Gene caused him to fall from the tree. All the events surrounding his accident lead Finny into denial. He does not want to perceive this issue as being true so he ignores it until Brinkers Trial prohibits him to deny the ma tter any longer. Once Brinker begins to question Finny about that day of his accident, he scuttles from the room instead of acknowledging the truth.The other demo of denial of reality is Finnys inability to admit that the war exists. Finny infers a fabrication of fat old men that keeps young people from enjoying themselves. This assertion provides a convenient excuse since he is incapable to participate in the controversy of the world. Phineas, unfortunately, could not face the truth after being in denial for so long, he dies attempting to run away from the truth. Phineas, reluctantly confronts his own denial. Incapable to withstand such trauma, he flees only to undertake his catastrophic demise.After avoiding such principles as denial, Gene and Phineas endure a rude awakening to life transitions. These demonstrations of denial prove how both exploit denial to construct their own fantasy-world, which prevents each from notifying the truth.