Some people in society are judgmental towards people who belong to a minority. For many people affected, it is impossible to completely escape this unwanted prejudice and unfair treatment. In The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst and A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene and Doodle manage to break away from society's cruel interpretation of unique individuals. Doodle, crippled from birth, retreats to Old Woman Swamp. The isolated swamp is the only place where he and his brother can forget the rest of society and see themselves as equals, but this ultimately leads to Doodle's death. Gene retreats from the death and destruction that comes with the ongoing war by living in the peaceful Devon School. Gene later experiences disastrous events because he hides from prejudice. Doodle and Gene escape society's constant warfare and inequality in Old Woman Swamp and the Devon School, respectively, but these refuges ultimately lead to their downfall. In Old Woman Swamp, society is left behind by Doodle and his brother, and they achieve a sense of equality. Doodle's brother always wants to fit into society; therefore, he is constantly bothered by his disabled brother. Doodle's brother considers Doodle "invalid" at first glance, but when the boys go to Old Woman Swamp, he treats Doodle almost as an equal (Hurst 1). The prejudices imposed on Doodle because of his disability disappear and Doodle's brother no longer needs to act as superior to fit in with the others. Doodle's brother is not ashamed of Doodle when they are alone; so this is the only time he truly sees Doodle as what he is, a human. This change in Doodle's brother makes Doodle feel welcome in the swamp, and even though he still knows his brother... middle of paper ...... he regrets and is horrified by the way he Finny called out. Both Gene and Doodle seek to escape society's prejudices in Old Woman Swamp and the Devon School, but these settings instead lead to disaster for both people. Doodle feels welcome at Old Woman Swamp, where he is unaffected by the judgment of people in society, and he travels there with his brother. In the swamp, he is judged even more harshly by his brother, and this is the cause of his death. Gene uses the Devon School as a refuge from the competitive veterans who disapprove of his every decision. This stay allows him to discover that he can have as many prejudices as the people who judge him. Dealing with society's judgment is difficult for many people who feel inferior. Successfully escaping these judgments is an even more difficult task, and it only takes one person to destroy the safe haven forever..