A Separate Peace

Ch. 1-2 Questions

1. How does the narrator feel about being back at Devon?
2. Why do you suppose the narrator has returned to Devon?
3. What is Devon like?
4. Why does the narrator conclude that the stairs must be very hard?  How does this make him feel?
5. How is the narrator surprised by the tree's appearance?  What is the simile he uses when referring to the tree?
6. The narrator says, "Changed, I headed back through the mud" (Knowles 6).  What do you think the narrator means by the word "changed" ?
7. What year is it?
8. How has Devon been impacted by the war?
9. What is Finny like?
10. Why did Finny jump from the tree?
11. According to Finny, why was he "good for" Gene?
12. Prediction: Why do you think it was so important for the narrator to revisit the tree?  What about the stairs?
13. What literary device is the author opening the novel with?
14. How does Finny explain to Mr. Prud-homme why the boys missed dinner?
15. The author writes, Finny is "a model boy who was most comfortable in the truant's corner" (Knowles 16).  How do you explain this contradiction in terms?
16. How does Gene feel about Finny getting "away" with wearing a pink shirt?
17. How does Finny avoid getting into trouble at the tea?
18. Why is it that the bombs in Central Europe are completely unreal to Gene and his friends at Devon?
19. How does Finny "practically" save Gene's life?