A Separate Peace Chapter 1 Question #3 Simone Geary

In the first chapter a substantial amount can be learned about Gene's personality and his experience while returning to his old school after growing up. One of the first changes he notices is the texture and upkeep of the school. Gene describes it as, "preserved by some considerate hand with varnish and wax(Knowles p.10)." He also mentions its museum-like coating; by coming back to this place he used to live, he feels like he's in a museum of his life and everything is brighter because of the way that he is looking back and comparing to how it used to seem while he was a student. Gene then goes on to search for a specific tree that holds a special meaning. The way that he remembers it standing out when he was younger is much different now that he looking back from a larger perspective, "it had loomed in my memory as a huge lone spike dominating the riverbank, forbidding as an artillery piece...(Knowles p.13)" When looking back on his memories of the tree, he tells a story of challenge and bravery. He remembers when his friend climbed up the risky tree, jumping off into the water and then guilting his friend into following his lead. As Gene grew he realized the tree had different properties then the time he spend at the school. The tree is described as, "...not only stripped by the cold season, it seemed weary from age, enfeebled, dry. (Knowles p.14)" The tree seemed less scary because of his growth into a man and the control he now has.