Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______
A Separate Peace Study Guide, Chapters 1-4
Chapter One
1. Why has the narrator returned to Devon?
2. What are the two sights he wants to visit?
3. How is the narrator surprised by the tree’s appearance?
4. What is a flashback?
5. Why did Finny jump from the tree?
6. How did Gene feel about jumping?
7. According to Finny, why was he “good for” Gene?
Chapter Two
8. How does Finny explain their missing dinner to Mr.?
9. Who is Mr. Prud’homme?
10. How does Finny “get away” with wearing a pink shirt?
11. How does Finny avoid getting in trouble for wearing the school tie as a belt?
12. Does Finny lie about breaking the rules? What does this tell you about Finny?
13. Why is the war unreal to Gene and his friends at Devon?
14. Where do Gene and Finny go after tea?
15. How does Finny “practically” save Gene’s life?
Chapter Three
16. Why didn’t Gene feel very grateful toward Finny for saving his life?
17. Describe the Suicide Society.
18. What does Gene think of it?
19. What is blitzball? Who developed it?
20. Describe Finny’s breaking the swimming record.
21. Why does Finny want to keep this a secret?
22. Why doesn’t Gene want to go to the beach with Finny?
23. Why does he go?
24. How does Gene react to Finny’s telling him that Gene is his best pal?
Chapter Four
25. Is it Finny’s fault that Gene failed the test? Why or why not?
26. What suspicions does Gene develop about Finny?
27. What happens to Gene’s grades after he fails the test?
28. Why does Finny tell Gene to stop studying for his French exam?
29. How does Finny react when Gene finally asserts himself and says that he needs to study?
30. How does Gene feel when he discovers Finny isn’t guilty of treachery—that he really wants Gene to do well?
31. Why does Finny want Gene to jump with him? Why is this ironic?
32. How does Gene feel about Finny at this time?
33. Why does Finny fall?
34. Explain Gene’s actions.