Can we live in the illusion that we create while trying to escape the realities of our life choices? In the book A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the main character inadvertently hurts his best friend and doesn't admit it. Gene is the main character and narrator. He tells the story through a flashback while visiting the school he went to with his best friend. Gene is a very intelligent young man, but he has a tendency. to overestimate situations. His best friend Phineas, or Finny, is the opposite, he acts impulsively and is an excellent athlete. This approach to situations taken by Gene leads him to the conclusion that his best friend, Finny, is trying to decimate his academics. This thought leads Gene down the path of jealousy and the idea of ​​revenge. One day, Finny asks Gene to join him at the top of the tree that the army uses for training. Finny wants to do a double jump with Gene. are both on the branch extending from the tree, Gene performs an action unintentionally, unintentionally and for the first time without thinking about it. He pops the limb, causing Finny to fall. This accident takes away the ability that made Finny so spectacular. The accident destroyed his leg and Finny would never play sports again. The accident creates a turmoil of emotions for Gene. He doesn't want Finny to know the truth, but lying robs Gene of his conscience. Eventually, the revelation of the truth drives Finny away from Gene. In his attempt to escape the cruelty of accepting his best friend's hatred of him, he falls down the stairs and breaks his leg again. In the end, Finny dies trying to escape. As the doctor attempts to repair his broken leg, the p...... middle of paper... confident that he will be able to heal Finny's leg without help or assistance. Unfortunately, an irreparable mistake happens to Finny and he cannot survive the ordeal, and the repercussions of the truth forced on Finny lead to his death. If Gene had told Finny himself what had happened, Finny would not have had this accident and therefore would not have been cut off from life while his influence was still sought. So while confessing would have hurt Finny's feelings, it would have cleared Gene's conscience. , woke Finny to reality and ultimately saved Finny's life. These facts all support the idea that Gene confessing to Finny would have developed these two characters' lives differently and inevitably more successfully and happily. Gene never really understands his own feelings towards Finny. Whether it's jealousy or brotherhood, they are undeniably strong.