Post by harleen5 on Oct 30, 2015 2:30:06 GMT
The main characters, Gene and Finny, are developed through indirect characterization throughout the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Gene starts as a bookish and quiet individual. He eventually grow to become slightly paranoid of his best friend. Gene begins to accuse Finny of trying to sabotage his studying by distracting him, proving Gene's envy of Finny. On the other hand, Finny seems to be exactly opposite of Gene. He is an adventurous leader and very athletic. He plays a variety of sports, including football, lacrosse, hockey, and lacrosse; one day, he breaks the school swimming record, proving his athleticism. Gene also notes how Phineas is always the center of attention and has the ability to get out of situations. At the headmaster’s tea, Finny accidentally had worn his Devon school tie as a belt. He effectively managed, to the surprise of Gene, to wiggle himself out of the situation without getting in trouble. In the beginning of the novel before Phineas falls out of the tree, Finny represents what Gene does not have.
Finny throughout the novel acts in a child-like manner. He refuses to admit the war is real until he sees how it has damaged Leper. Even then, he tells Gene that admitting the war was real would verify that he could never be a part of it. He also refuses to believe that Gene pushed him out of the tree. The first time that Gene tells Finny that he pushed him, Finny says Gene is crazy. On the other hand, Gene begins to mature after Phineas falls out of the tree. He even says he is going to enlist, but is stopped by Finny. Gene also is the first to see how the war has damaged Leper and realizes how real the war is. Yet the reader sees how Gene matures slowly, often reverting back to childish actions at times. He first admits to Finny he pushed him, but then responds immaturely to Brinker’s accusations. In the Butt Room, Brinker keeps pushing Gene, asking him if he pushed Finny. Gene responds by sarcastically telling the story of Finny’s fall. Then when Leper accuses Gene, Gene gets very angry and retaliates saying he did not push Finny.
The use of indirect characterization throughout the novel gives insight on the thoughts of Gene, and helps the reader to understand how Finny plays a part in Gene’s coming of age.
Finny throughout the novel acts in a child-like manner. He refuses to admit the war is real until he sees how it has damaged Leper. Even then, he tells Gene that admitting the war was real would verify that he could never be a part of it. He also refuses to believe that Gene pushed him out of the tree. The first time that Gene tells Finny that he pushed him, Finny says Gene is crazy. On the other hand, Gene begins to mature after Phineas falls out of the tree. He even says he is going to enlist, but is stopped by Finny. Gene also is the first to see how the war has damaged Leper and realizes how real the war is. Yet the reader sees how Gene matures slowly, often reverting back to childish actions at times. He first admits to Finny he pushed him, but then responds immaturely to Brinker’s accusations. In the Butt Room, Brinker keeps pushing Gene, asking him if he pushed Finny. Gene responds by sarcastically telling the story of Finny’s fall. Then when Leper accuses Gene, Gene gets very angry and retaliates saying he did not push Finny.
The use of indirect characterization throughout the novel gives insight on the thoughts of Gene, and helps the reader to understand how Finny plays a part in Gene’s coming of age.
