For instance, Gene makes an effort to define himself and his identity as he grows into an adult. Unlike his friends and their struggle to find themselves in relation to the war, Gene’s crisis resolves around Finny. He gradually finds himself thinking about his friend as he would himself. John Knowles states: “Phineas seemed older that morning, and leaning quietly against that great tree wrapped in his …show more content…
The transition from the carefree teenage years to the realities of adult life brings to the surface the flaws of enmity and jealousy present in every person. Gene considers: “To keep silent about this amazing happening deepened the shock for me. It made Finny seem too unusual for -- not friendship, but too unusual for rivalry. And there were few relationships among us at Devon not based on rivalry” (45). This is the starting point where Gene starts to view Finny’s actions in a different way, not as a challenge or a competition, but as a part of Finny’s personality. This causes Gene to change his attitude and see his friend in a different