A Separate Peace Reading Response Questions—Chapters 1-3

Name ______Date ______Period ______

Into the Text. Allusions and terms you will come across in your reading.

Leper—a person having leprosy; a person who is rejected and cast out; here, it is a nickname for Elwin Lepellier

seigneurs—here, the term characterizes the superiority Gene and Finny feel when they jump from the tree and the others do not

blitzkrieg—a sudden, swift, large-scale offensive warfare intended to win a quick victory, used by the Nazis

Winston Churchill (1871-1947)—British statesman and writer; prime minister of Great Britain during World War II

Josef Stalin (1879-1953)—Soviet premier and general secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union during World War II

Preview Question: Imagine that you had a friend who always seems to be able to escape getting into trouble after being caught. How would you feel about this friend? Would you want to see him/her get into trouble just once? Why or why not? [5 points]

Through the Text. Answer the following questions while reading the assignment. [1 point]

Chapter 1

  1. How long ago had Gene (the narrator) attended Devon?
  2. In what state is Devon located?
  3. What fact about the stairs had Gene overlooked?
  4. What is the second place Gene wanted to see?
  5. What does Finny talk Gene into doing?

Chapter 2

  1. Who is Mr. Prud’homme?
  2. Why are the faculty more tolerant of the boys during the summer?
  3. What kind of shirt does Finny wear that causes an uproar?
  4. Who is Mr. Patch-Withers?
  5. What does Finny wear as a belt?
  6. What is the name of the club the boys invent?

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Gene keep jumping from the tree even though he doesn’t want to do it?
  2. Name three of Finny’s commandments:
  3. What game does Finny invent?
  4. What record does Finny break?
  5. Where do Finny and Gene go that is against the rules?
  6. What does Finny call Gene?

Beyond the Text. Answer the following questions after reading. [3 points]

  1. Why does the hardness of the marble steps worry Gene?
  1. Why is Gene relieved that the tree by the river has changed?
  1. Who has the upper hand in their friendship? Explain.
  1. Does you think Gene envies Finny? Explain.
  1. Why is Gene “unexpectedly excited” at the idea of Finny getting into trouble?
  1. How does Gene justify his emotions when Finny escapes trouble? Do you believe Gene?
  1. How does Gene justify not feeling any gratitude toward Finny for saving his life?
  1. Contrast Gene and Finny at the beach. Who has a better time?
  1. Does Finny have any flaws as a person? Explain.
  1. Why doesn’t Gene ever refuse Finny?
  1. Do you think Gene wants to secretly be like Finny? Why or why not?