A Separate Peace
...ll down the stairs and break his leg again. Later that day Gene talks to Finny who forgives him and understands that it was just an impulse. Soon after, during the attempt to set Finny’s leg, some bone marrow enters his blood stream and stops his heart. The author uses many literary devices in this novel which give the work depth and increases its artistic merit. Alliteration is illustrated by, “A suicide society,” I said stiffly. “The Suicide Society of the Summer Session! How’s that?” Alliteration is shown by the repetition of s. This stresses the name of the club and makes it stand out more and become more memorable. “At Devon crutches had almost as many athletic associations as shoulder pads.” The alliteration in this sentence is less noticeable. The a sound is repeated. “I would have liked very much to have done that myself” exemplifies inversion. Instead of saying “I would have liked to do that very much,” John Knowles reversed the order. This makes the text more appealing because it is not normal and plain. “That it must have been” is another inversion used by the author. It would usually be “it must have been that.” By reversing the order the book becomes less ordinary. It is not written so you do not understand the words, just that you can realize what the author has done to add more affect. Mr. Knowles also describes the setting thoroughly. “As though a coat of varnish had been put over everything for better preservation.” By saying this the reader got a descript idea of what the building looked like. It was as if one could actually see the place, and get a feel of the thick varnish for themselves. “I made my way across a wide yard, called the Far Commons, and up to a building as red brick and balanced the other major buildings, but with larger cupola and a bell and a clock and Latin over the doorway- The First Academy Building.” When the author says this, one can accurately tell what Gene is viewing as he walks. The reader is able to feel as if s/he is actually there. There was a very striking dénouement in this novel. “...and I will have to tell you about it now. Your friend is dead.” This is the ending of the story. Nothing else major occurs. “In the middle of it, his heart stopped, without warning.” This just informs you of how Finny died the ending of the book. It is not what was expected to happen, the outlook was positive for Phineas. Foreshadowing was used to hint towards the end. “Come back around 5 o’clock, “he had said, “When F...