gene and finny both like sports and share the same interests. Finny is more athletic and Gene is studious. Phineas is resembles peace while gene resembles inner war.
Gene realizes that Finny genuinely cares about their friendship and does not hold any grudges or jealousy towards Gene. Gene understands that Finny sees him as a true friend and not as a rival or competitor.
Gene admires Finny's ability to bring out the best in people and lift their spirits. He admires Finny's athleticism, fearlessness, and charisma. Gene is also drawn to Finny's genuine kindness and loyalty as a friend.
Gene's feelings toward Finny reveal his deep-seated jealousy, insecurities, and internal struggles. They also show his complex emotions of admiration, guilt, and a desire for Finny's approval. Overall, Gene's feelings toward Finny highlight his internal conflict and the impact Finny has on his sense of self.
At first Gene loses his fears and becomes bold after Finny has his accident. Soon he is racked with guilt and starts to avoid Finny. In the end he becomes a better and more loyal friend to Finny.
Gene puts on Finny's clothes to embody his friend's carefree and daring spirit. It allows Gene to momentarily escape his own insecurities and self-doubt by temporarily assuming Finny's personality and confidence. This act symbolizes Gene's deep admiration and envy of Finny's effortless charm and charisma.
Gene is caught off guard by Finny's declaration but feels touched and grateful. He realizes the depth of their friendship and is comforted by Finny's loyalty and support. This moment strengthens their bond and deepens Gene's appreciation for Finny.
The internal conflict in "A Separate Peace" revolves around Gene's struggle with jealousy and insecurity toward his friend Finny. The external conflict arises from the backdrop of World War II, which creates a sense of uncertainty and fear among the boys at Devon School.
Gene would not have expected to be Finny's defender.
Gene feels better because it relieves him from the guilt he feels for causing Finny's injury. By attributing malicious intentions to Finny, Gene is able to shift the blame away from himself and justify his own actions. It allows Gene to rationalize his betrayal and maintain his sense of superiority.
YES!!! Of course they are! Why else would Finny have enjoyed it when Gene pushes him down on the grass and laid down on top?!?!?!?! Yeah! in the beginning of ch 6, Gene spends a whole paragraph discussing his friend Brinker's butt. When Finny and Gene go to the beach together, they spend the night staring into the sunset & Gene starts describing how handsome Finny looks. It's obvious!
Yes, Gene does tell Finny the truth. This is when Gene visits Finny in his mother's house. Gene knew he was guilty and felt the need to confess to Finny. Gene told him that he purposefully jounced the limb to knock Finny out of the tree. However, Finny was hurt more by what Gene admitted to then what Gene did. Finny told Gene to get out of his house. Later, when Finny came back to school, he ignored this conversation.
Finny is surprised by Gene's apology and initially doesn't believe that he did it on purpose. He accepts Gene's apology but struggles to understand why Gene would have wanted to hurt him.