Roland's Pride In 'A Separate Peace'

Roland’s pride causes distress and grief among the army, to the point of breaking a powerful friendship with his best friend. Oliver explains to the faithless army that it is Roland’s pride that is causing them to fall in the Battle of Roncevaux. During the battle, the army loses hope for their King Charlemagne. Oliver explains to them it’s not Charles’ fault but their leader Roland due to his pride; from not blowing the horn. Later, on in the story, Roland’s pride blinds him. He decides to blow the oliphant, but Oliver explains to him that it is too late and useless. Also, he tells him that he suggested it to him earlier, but Roland’s pride blinded him from agreeing with him. Later, in the battle, Oliver dies, potentially because of his best

That resulted from him blowing the horn that could have saved their lives. Oliver explains, “I have no desire to speak. / You did not deign to sound your oliphant / so you receive no help at all from Charles. / He knows nothing of this and shares no guilt; / Those who remain with him are not to blame” (1170-1174). Oliver clarifies that it is not Charles’ fault but their leaders’ pride because Roland didn’t follow his advice to sound the horn from Oliver. If Roland blew the oliphant many would still be alive, but now there are many deaths amidst the army. All this is causing distress among Oliver and the entire army. Oliver is distraught for his best friend’s actions, and Roland’s pride is blinding him from making righteous

Roland says, “‘Our battle is fierce; / I shall sound the horn and King Charles will hear.’ / Oliver said: ‘That would not be a courageous act; / when I spoke of this, companion, you did deign to do it; / If the King had been here, we should have come to no harm’… Roland said: ‘Why do you bear a grudge?’ / And he replies: ‘Companion you have been the cause of it. / For a true vassal’s act, in its wisdom, avoids folly… Franks are dead because of your recklessness’” (1713-1717, 1722-1724, 1726). Roland finally decides to blow the horn, but after Oliver’s advice he believes that his best friend is bitter about his decision, but Oliver tells Roland that it is his own fault. He caused many Franks to die because of his pride and reluctant to take advice from others. Roland believes that Oliver is being resentful and blows the oliphant without caring, but his decision is too late. It is so late it causes a great loss among the army and his best