Assignment #6 (86-102): Question 5: How does Gene feel about war and enlisting in this reading (look closely at pages 100-102)?

Gene thinks of the war as an opportunity for an alternate life, but with a consequence of “slamming the door impulsively on the past” (Knowles 100). When Gene hears Brinker rant about the war, he is amused be his words, “I’m giving up, I’m going to enlist. Tomorrow” (Knowles 100). Gene had been waiting for someone to say this so he could entertain these decisive words himself. As senior year begins, there is more tension about being drafted at any time. Four teachers at Devon disappeared to go into the war. During this chapter there has been a constant tension as shown by Gene on page 101, “But in the war, there was no question about it at all; it was there” (Knowles 101). It’s almost as though the war is taunting the seniors of the Devon School. They have no hope of not enlisting and they helplessly wait its arrival. On the last page of chapter Gene talks of what his responsibilities are for the future. He concludes that he doesn’t owe anyone anything, but when the time comes he will make a decision of this crisis. On page 102 Gene explains, “I owed it to myself to meet this crisis in my life, when I chose, and I chose now (Knowles 102). Gene feels that the decision is his own. He is different from the other students at Devon. Gene is unable to go through the process of an education and then throw it all away at the last most advantageous instant for the war. Gene owes it to himself to take an alternate route of life and enlist in the war now.

Do you think Finny will hold Gene back?

Do you think one of Gene’s “responsibilities” (top of 102) in life will be to “play sports” or go to war for (85) Finny?