Analysis Of John Knowles 'A Separate Peace'

There are an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the universe, and over 100 billion planets within each one, and yet humans are the only complex life forms that we know of, so what makes us so special? A Separate Peace, written by John Knowles, describes the relationship, coming of age, and general life of two boys, Phineas and Gene, while they study at an private high school during the war. The Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy on the other hand, was written by Douglas Adams, and it details the adventure of four intergalactic life forms as they journey to Magrathea. Knowles uses the once dysfunctional relationship of Finny and Gene to demonstrate how gaining perspective on another’s position is integral in maintaining life-giving relationships.

Contralily, Adams suggests that a gaining perspective of unbiased resources allow a situation’s true seriousness to become apparent. Through these novels, it becomes clear that gaining perspective on situations and of others is the only way to fully thrive in the universe.
Relationships are an essential part of a person's ability to thrive in the galaxy, and Knowles suggests that the only ways to keep and maintain them is through gaining perspective.

Not only do healthy relationships eliminate insanity with social interaction and famine with sharing, but they also extinguish mutinies. Upon receiving a note instructing that he bring some of Finny’s clothes, Gene goes to the infirmary and talks with his crippled friend: “‘Finny,’ my voice broke but I went on, ‘Phineas, you wouldn’t be any good in the war, even if nothing happened to your leg’… His face had been struggling to stay calm as his listened to me, but now he was crying but trying to control himself. ‘It was just some kind of blind impulse you had in the tree…’” (Knowles). When attempting to thrive in the galaxy, one must be able to maintain life-sustaining relationships, and Knowles proposes that a large component of that is identifying extant power imbalances. Notice how Gene’s voice falters as he introduces a heartfelt, yet contradictory opinion, suggesting that he holds an oppressed position. Had both boys been on the same power level, either of them would have felt free to share any upsetting thoughts, yet Gene’s inferior role induces trepidation when going through with such an action. Moreover, observe how Finny begins to cry while listening to the perspective of his friend. After taking the time to comprehend his friend’s words, the character gains a supplementary perspective on

their relationship. One that provides him with insight on the oppressed position that Gene retains, and once Finny understands his friend’s constant fear and jealousy, the otherwise stoic character, sympathizes and thus cries. Once an added point of view is gained, note how the character immediately forgives his friend, as it enabled him to fathom the motives behind his betrayal, and heal their relationship. Not only did perspective enable Finny to bring a power disparity to the surface, but it also allowed his relationship with Gene to be fully restored.
Adams, the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, demonstrates the importance of gaining perspective on a situation, when attempting to thrive in the universe.

Certain situations can determine the life or death of a group, but unless its significance is spotted and addressed early on, it could mean mortality for all participants. After the four galaxy-hitchhikers enter Magrathea’s atmosphere, two “complementary” missiles are fired at their spaceship: “Ford tapped Zaphod on the shoulder and pointed at the rear screen. Clear in the distance behind them two silver darts were climbing through the atmosphere towards the ship. A quick change in magnification brought them into close focus- two massively real rockets thundering through the sky” (Adams 125). When trying to thrive in the universe, one must be able to overcome predicaments with ease, and Adams uses the notions of the two missiles to represent these difficult, and even life-altering situations. Notice how a quick change in magnification allows for the characters’ perception of the rockets, and thus a particular transformative event, to be completely altered. Their additional outlook allows them to fathom both the gravity and danger of the projectiles, for they no longer see them as distant problems, but rather as one massively real one. Had perspective not been gained, the true gravity of their situation would not have been thoroughly assessed, and their deaths would have resulted. Also observe how the

characters obtain their supplementary perspective through the help of a rear screen, suggesting that external unbiased systems, such as computers, are the only way to fully understand a situation. Emotions like arrogance and jealousy render humans as unreliable sources when trying to gain perspective on a situation, as they can distort their view of situations, but machines are clear of these feelings, and so by gaining their particular outlook, one can see the true non-distorted seriousness of a predicament, thus allowing them to properly combat it.
In order to truly thrive in the universe, one must be able to gain supplementary perspectives on situations and of others. During the earlier parts of World War 1, the United States refrained from joining the conflict to remain neutral, but they announced their participation prior to the Nazi’s declaration of war on them and despite the war being in foreign lands. The only reasonable explanation for their preemptive announcement is that they gained perspective on their allies, along with the predicament of the war. Once the US obtained extra outlooks, they were able to see their oversea comrades suffering from bombing raids, civilian fatalities, and military casualties. This additional perspective also allowed the western country to fathom the actual gravity of the war, rather than identifying the conflict as a smaller predicament. From their new point of view, the US took action and declared war, risking the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and citizens alike for the sake of their distressed allies.