A Separate Peace by John Knowles

The three dichotomous symbols in A Separate Peace by John Knowles reinforce the innocence and evil of the main characters, Finny and Gene. Beside the Devon School flow two rivers on opposite sides of the school, the Naguamsett and the Devon. The Devon provides entertainment and happiness for Gene and Finny as they jump from the tree into the river and hold initiations into the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session. Finny, Gene, and …

…is occurring, Finny wonders, 'Is there?' (96). Finny refuses to believe in the war when Gene explains that the war comes before sports. Finny comes to the conclusion that old fat men in Washingtion, D.C. 'make up' the war to trick the people, and only the fat men understand the trick. The two rivers, the two sessions, and the two settings, reinforce and clearly display the innocence of Finny and the evil of Gene.