1. A Separate Peace By John knowles Published in 1960
Very successful novel; allows Knowles to quit his job and write/ travel full time
A fiction novel about growing up during times of war
Based on events that happened during Knowles’ own years at boarding school

2. About the Author: John Knowles
Knowles is bon in West Virginia in 1926, although his parents are originally from Massachusetts
Spends most summers in Massachusetts
Best known works are set in New England
At 15, Knowles applies and is accepted to Philips Exeter Academy: an elite boarding school in New Hampshire

3. About the Author: John Knowles
Soon after Knowles enters Exeter (1941), the United States declares war on Japan and enters into World War II (WW II)
Knowles graduates from high school and joins the military
Becomes a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force Aviation Program and serves 8 months in the war
When the war ends (1945), Knowles attends Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
While at Yale, Knowles contributes stories to campus humor magazine and served on the board of the Yale Daily News during his sophomore, junior and senior years
Early in Knowles's career, he wrote for the Hartford Courant  and concurrently began writing novels
A Separate Peace is based upon Knowles's experiences at Phillips Exeter Academy.

4. Historical Context: World War II
Begins in 1939 when the Germans invade Poland and ends in August 1945 when the Japanese surrender
A Separate Peace takes place during the summer of 1942: directly in the middle of World War II
Called a ‘world’ war because a majority of the world’s nations split into one of two opposing sides:
Allies
Axis
Russia
U.S.
U.K.
China
Nazi Germany
Fascist Italy
Imperial Japan

5. Historical Context: World War II
The most devastating war in history with an estimated 72 million deaths
2/3 of victims were civilians with Holocaust victims numbering in the millions
U.S. President during the war is Franklin Delano Roosevelt: the first president to serve four terms and also the first in a wheelchair

6. Historical Context: The U.S. and WW II
Fear of war caused many Americans to ignore the conflict overseas
The first peacetime draft in the nation’s history began in 1940: men years of age were required to register for military service. That age was then lowered to 18.
The U.S. entered the World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese (1941).
In order to cope with the war, America instituted rations on books, sugar, coffee, and other goods.
Americans attended rallies, bought war bonds, and planted victory gardens.
To conserve gasoline, a national 35 MPH speed limit was implemented and driving for pleasure was banned to conserve rubber
American life was changed for the duration of the war

7. Patriotism Many young men and teenagers couldn’t wait to be drafted.
Most felt it was their duty to enlist.
Patriotism was at an all-time high.

8. A Separate Peace: Setting and Plot
A Separate Peace takes place at the Devon School in New Hampshire. The Devon School is an elite boarding school.
The novel is told in flashback form with a first person narrator.
Gene, the narrator, retells events that occurred 15 years before at the Devon School.
The central story (flashback) begins less than a year after December 7, 1941: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

9. Main Characters Gene Forrester Phineas (Finny) Narrator
Tells of his school experience
Best friends with Phineas
Good student
Tends to be a follower (conformist)
Gene’s roommate and best friend
Exceptional athlete
Natural leader
Ambitious and daring