Assignment #10 (152-177):Question 2
1) At the top of page 155, the snowball fight culminates with everyone turning on Finny. Why does this happen here and why now? How does this moment foreshadow events later in the chapter?
The snowball fight results in everyone turning on Finny which foreshadows Finny's power and innocence diminishing. On page 155 Gene says, "We ended the fight in the only way possible; all of us turned on Phineas" (Knowles 155). Although the snowball fight seems to testify the durability of Finny's spirit, his power diminishes over the course of the chapter. Gene returns to Devon from Leper's house in the middle of the snowball fight and sees Finny's leg in a walking cast, which immediately concerns him. This is an example of foreshadowing the destruction of Finny's leg because he is not being careful and letting his leg fully recover before strenuous activity. On page 155 just after the fight ends, Finny says, "Stanpole said something about not falling again, but I'm very careful"(Knowles 155). This is another example of Knowles foreshadowing that Finny's Leg is in great danger. As Finny begins to lose his innocence, as exampled from the snowball fight, it becomes apparent that he is in jeopardy. Throughout the conversation on the bottom of page 155, we see Phineas attempting to convince Gene hat has bones heal stronger after the break and that he is safe. We see Gene wanting to believe him with all of his heart, but there is doubt behind his support. The conversation reads, "In fact I think I can feel it getting stronger." You think you can? can you feel it? Yes I think so. Thank god. What?" (Knowles 155). Finny says what at the end of the conversation, as if implying that he didn't think Gene believes him, because of all his questioning. Finny's loss of innocence makes him more of a target, and that consequences are eminent.
At the end of the chapter: What do you think happened to Finny's Leg? Judging by the quote about what Stanpole said, what do you think the severity of the injury is? How will this affect Gene?
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