Returning to what had been a fearful place in his school days at Devon, the tree is reduced to a thing pitied for its wretchedness. After his pilgrimage to these two sites, Gene turns back the way he came, thinking to himself that “Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even a death by violence. Changed, I headed back through the mud. I was drenched; anybody could see it was time to come in out of the rain.” Chapter 1, pg. 6 After revisiting these two fearful places he had known in his youth, Gene reaches some sort of peace within himself and finds release from a burden that has troubled him for many years. As if shaken awake, he suddenly notices the rain and is eager to get back indoors.

Time turns back fifteen years to when Gene was a schoolboy standing near that same tree with his friend Phineas, nicknamed Finny. There are three other boys with them and they debate about climbing it, for “The tree was tremendous, an irate, steely black steeple beside the river.” Chapter 1, pg.

Do I remember right, that he’s returned to his college a number of years after he’s left? If so . . .

How about an analogy? Remember a time long ago when there was someone you thought was the greatest, someone you respected. Imagine what it would be like to go back to that person now. Do you think you’d still be impressed by them, and if so, in the same way and to the same degree?

Imagine meeting the “giants of your childhood” when you’re 30.

Well, the whole novel “A Separate Peace” is about Gene growing up and his envy of Phinney. If I remember correctly, (I did read this in english II two years ago), Gene starts to reminisce after this. He’s talking about the tree where Phinney fell and broke his leg. Where Gene attempted to be his “hero” Phinney. Phinney, who eventually dies because of his second time hurting his leg, never really grew up. He merely stayed the same diranged, abnormal Phinney. However, Gene realized who he was and decided not to rely on someone else. He became a man…