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

friend’s pride. Although Roland mourns for his greatest loss, he believes that he has nothing to do with it. Roland’s pride takes him over causing his leadership against the enemy to fall; even to the point of a loss of a close friendship.
Oliver tells the doubting army that it’s not Charles’ fault but their leader Roland’s pride.

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

actions.
In his pride, Roland disregards Oliver’s advice and blows the horn.

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

friend.
Even all the advice Roland has been given many have fallen from his actions. After a long battle, Oliver dies of a fatal wound but Roland believes in his pride, that he is not to blame. “Now Roland sees that his friend is dead. / Lying face down, his head on the ground. / He began to mourn for him in tenderly fashion: / ‘Lord companion, how sad that you were so bold: / We have been together for days and years. / You have caused me no harm and I have not wronged you. / Now that you are dead, it grieves me to remain alive’” (2024-2030). Oliver dies of deadly wound, and Roland mourns for his loss. He says that all the years of their friendship has ended and he grieves for it. Also, while mourning, Roland believes that he has caused no harm to him, because his pride blinds him. Since he didn’t sound the horn to call for help from King Charles, many franks died losing his best friend in the process. Roland’s closest friend died causing grief for him but his arrogance blinds him and believes it wasn’t his fault. Because of his actions many are dead and friendships lost.
Roland’s pride causes much distress and agony among the army, even causing a strong friendship to break between him and Oliver. Oliver explains to the doubting army that its Roland’s fault that is causing them to lose the battle. But later, Roland finally decides to blow the oliphant and ignores Oliver’s advice a second time. Later, Oliver dies of a fatal wound but Roland is blinded by his pride believing it wasn’t his fault. Because of Roland’s pride it causes the end of a friendship. His pride not only causes the army to die but his close friend as well. Although Roland believes he has done nothing wrong. His pride takes over, leading to thousands of deaths, including that of his best friend who he believed died by honor but not his own actions.