A Separate Peace

John Knowles

Pop Quiz Sheet of paper with MLA heading1.) Knowles based many of the characters on ________________. 2.) What particular audience does Knowles write for? (young adult, college students, etc.) 3.) Give 1 example of how the war brought change to the American economy and lifestyle listed within the text.

Answers (2 points each) 1.) Knowles based many of the characters on

________________. Former classmates (p. 10)

2.) What particular audience does Knowles write for? (young adult, college students, etc.) “he does not write with a particular audience in

mind” (p. 9) 3.) Give 1 example of how the war brought

change to the American economy and lifestyle listed within the text. Created jobs, attended rallies, bought war bonds,

conserved fuel and rubber, victory gardens, etc. (p. 11)

John Knowles What do we know about him?

Born in 1926 in Fairmont, West Virginia Love of New England stems from his

experiences as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy

Went into the military after he graduated from high school (WWII)

Wrote ASP, first published in England in 1959 and the United States in 1960

How was ASP received? Won the William Faulkner Award Won the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal

Foundation Award. Adapted for the screen and made into a

movie Today, A Separate Peace is standard

reading in many high schools.

Time and Place WWII: Tension between America joining

Allies and remaining neutral Pearl Harbor: draft age lowered to 18 Changes to the economy and lifestyle

Although WWII didn’t take place on American soil how did people experience the repercussions of war?

Novel Setting Devon School

Boarding School or Preparatory School Live on campus Philosophy or motto Very competitive All boys

New Hampshire 1942

Main Characters “Gene Forrester -  The narrator and protagonist

of the novel. When A Separate Peace begins, Gene is in his early thirties, visiting the Devon School for the first time in years” (Sparknotes).

“Phineas/Finny -  Gene’s classmate and best friend. Finny is honest, handsome, self-confident, disarming, extremely likable, and the best athlete in the school; in short, he seems perfect in almost every way” (Sparknotes).

Flashback Takes the narrative back in time from

the current point Used to create suspense in a story, or

develop a character

Narration Gene is the narrator Uses first person narrative: one who is a

character in the novel as well as the storyteller or “voice” that describes what happens

Only hear Gene’s thoughts

What are the positives and negatives of first person narrative? first-person narrators may be subject to

errors in judgment

Trailer http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=65DQtSyi3Gc

Pre-reading Activity How does competition bring out the best

and worst in people?