A Separate Peace By John Knowles: An Analysis

670 Words3 Pages
Relationships are the foundation of life. They provide love, compassion, and strength that allow one to unlock true happiness. Being able to share one's triumphs and one’s downfalls with someone else is simply irreplaceable. However, these meaningful relationships are too often shattered by the competition found within humanity. Every day people compare themselves to one another in an attempt to be the best. Portrayed in life and in A Separate Peace by John Knowles, this constant battle chains rivalry to every relationship. Life is full of rivalry and has been for millions of years. In the early 1800s, English naturalist Charles Darwin realized the extent of competition within nature. Throughout his studies he was able to explain his theory of survival of the fittest. This principle concludes that all organisms compete for existence, and only those who are the most fit will survive. This throws every living creature into a continuous competition for existence. The fear brought about by the constant shadow of death creates an everlasting paranoia that pushes almost all…show more content…
However, as time progressed and societies evolved, competition stayed intertwined within humanity. In today’s society competition is inevitable. The media promotes the unrealistic ideas that one needs to be something more in order to receive the recognition they deserve. Those who are considered sub par are demoted to a lesser status due to certain standards in today’s society. These high standards and goals are what power competition between people today. A teenager’s world is a perfect example. In high school nearly everything is a competition. Girls compete with one another to be the most popular, the prettiest or the best dressed. Guys compete to be the most athletic, muscular, or outgoing. The need and desire to be at a certain standard bring about rivalry in almost every high school
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    John Knowles, A Separate Peace, is a chronological flashback about the life of 2 teenage boys during WWII. The two boys, Gene and Finny, ignore the fact that there is war going on .Along with their friends, Gene and Finny joke about the war instead of taking it seriously and preparing for it. They will soon find out that the conflict that they have been trying to avoid will slowly seep its back into their lives. A Separate Peace gives an idea that reality may eventually find its way and break through

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