Song Analyzing John Knowles 'A Separate Piece'

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Song Analysis - “A Separate Piece” The musical composition Guardian by Alanis Morissette connects with the character Gene, from John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Piece, as the lyrics represent Gene, and his relationship with Finny after, the “accident” in which Finny falls out of the tree and gets major injuries, which then affects his sports career. In Guardian Alanis Morissette sings “You, you who has smiled when you're in pain.” (Morissette, line 1). This lyric refers to Finny, and his faculty to perceive the positive in situations, whereas others would regard what happened to Finny, as the worst possible thing that could transpire. Finny is always making jokes and endeavoring to ease all the tension in situations. In chapter 7, when …show more content…

The lyric also refers to the fact that Finny denies the evidence given, that prove Gene was the main factor to Finny's “accident”, by reason of not wanting to think that Gene is capable of doing such a monstrous action. In chapter 5 Finny states “Of course you didn’t do it, You damn fool. Sit down you damn fool.” (Knowles, 70) This quote shows Finny aggravation, and exasperation towards Gene as he continuously tries to reveal the truth to Finny. Not only is Finny getting exasperated and aggravated but he's also trying to deny the truth because he doesn't wish to think that Gene was capable of such …show more content…

This lyric refers to Finny’s anger at Gene when Finny finally comes to terms with the fact that Gene indeed jounced the limb on purpose to make Finny fall off. Finny knows that what Gene did was dishonorable, and although Gene appears to genuinely like Finny, what he did was in vain and caused by the jealousy building up inside. In chapter 12, when Gene visits Finny after he falls down the marble steps Finny gets authentically mad and states “You want to break something else in me! Is that why you’re here!”(Knowles, 184) It is evident that Finny becomes mad once he conclusively comes to terms with the truth. The truth being that Gene authenticity was the reason that Finny fell out of the tree and as a result received an injury that prevents him from ever playing sports

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