Conformity vs. Nonconformity (Sara, Natalie, Peighton, Michael P., Cole)
Several of the characters in this novel are put in situations where they feel compelled to either conform or rebel. Identify these characters and situations as you read each chapter of A Separate Peace. What messages about "conformity" and "noncomformity" does John Knowles convery? What does this book teach us about this idea?
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ReplyDeleteConformity is shown in this book when Finny has the crazy idea to jump off the tree. On page 17 Gene says "Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me?" He jumps and obviously doesn't feel comfortable. This book teaches us that conformity is something that is difficult to get away from. It happens all the time in school or in the real world such as peer pressure.
Written by,
Sara Katritos
Nice work Sara. This is a great example of conformity. It really shows that conformity makes other feel uncomfortable and it is really challanging to get away from. Keep up the great work!
DeleteI completely agree but something that I would like to add to this is that finny is trying to change what conformity is because he stands alone on his opinion on this page. Another opinion that I have on this is that finny is forcing his opinions and needs onto the narrorator instead of changing his needs match what the narrorators lifestyle accomplish.
DeleteConformity can been seen in this novel when Finny decides to wear a pink shirt, even though it is against Devon's rules. He is wearing this shirt as an emblem because the Allied Forces had recently bombed Central Europe. On page 25 Finny says "Well , we have to do something to celebrate. We haven't got a flag, we can't float Old Glory out the window. So I'm going to wear this as an emblem." Clearly, Finny is wearing this shirt as an act of rebellion, he knows he is breaking the school's rules and is doing it anyway. His reason for wearing this shirt is that he wants to celebrate the Allies achievements in the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is a good statement!
DeleteI agree Mike, I was thinking the same thing. Finny's conformity is clearly shown with his pink shirt.
DeleteNon Conformity is shown in this book on page 27 when finny wears the schools tie as a belt. This shows that he does not follow other peoples rules. Mr. Withers then tried to conform him to the rules and the correct procedure but then Finny pointed out that sometimes non Conformity can be acceptable in conformist societies.
ReplyDeleteCole krensky
A non conformity is shown when finny wears a pink shirt showning how although he cares about the school and respects it he does not follow the rules, but he gets away with everything because of his charm and his sharp wit.
ReplyDeletePeighton A Toro
One form of conformity in chapter 3 is when Finny and Gene start the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session. On page 34 near the bottom of the page, it says "with this one inflexible appointment everyday-classes could be cut,meals missed, chapel skipped." This is a form of conformity because not only are Finny and Gene breaking the rules by jumping of the tree, they are also skipping classes, meals, and chapel, which is against the rules at Devon.
ReplyDeletenice work micheal, go home
DeleteShouldn't half of these be non-conformity
DeleteThats what I thought
DeleteAn example of conformity in this book is on page 39 when it talks about how everyone plays blitzball. It said, Blitzball was the surprise of the summer. Everybody played it; i believe a form of it is still popular at Devon. this excerpt from the text shows that people stay with the trend so they can fit in. This also shows that somethings that seem cool never change only parts of it do.
ReplyDeleteYou can see the struggles of conformity for Gene, though minor in this example, when him and Finny are at the beach on page 50. Gene needs to take an important test in math but Finny wants to take a swim. Finny and Gene knows it's seven and it takes 3 hours to get back to Devon. Finny ignores Gene's needs and takes a swim anyway. Gene doesn't even put up a fight. I interpret this as being a type of conformity because Gene doesn't try to stop Finny from taking a swim because he doesn't want to make confrontation.
ReplyDeleteAn example of conformity in this novel in the end of page 59 and the beginning of 60. It says "I took a step toward him and then my knees bent and I jounced the limb." Finny then loses his balance and falls from the tree hurting himself. This is form of conformity because Gene knew it was wrong but he did it anyway.
ReplyDeleteAn example of a non conformist forced into becoming a conformist is leper in chapter 4. He is forced to jump into the water. Everyone seems to be excited for him jumping. He does this so that he can fit in to the super suicide society. This excerpt shows that conformity is sometimes radical and being a nonconformist although crucial is a difficult feat indeed.
ReplyDeleteNice work! I completly aree with your idea, this is a great form of non confrmity.
DeleteAn example of unconformity is shown in this chapter when Gene just says no finaly. He didnt let Finny tell him what to do because he eventualy got sick of having Finny tell him what do you. He was under the assumption that Finny wanted the valivictorian possition as well and he would not let him beat him in that.
ReplyDeleteA form of conformity can be seen in the fifth chapter. Gene is filled with guilt for what he did to Finny. Finny doesn't want to believe that Gene shook the branch making him fall. Gene knows what he did was wrong but he did it anyway, although, he does go to see Finny in the hospital, which shows their friendship.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 5 gene showed non-conformity when he told the truth. When Gene tells Finny that he was the reason for him falling off while he was in the clear. In our society you take every advantage and never tell the truth when you don't have to. Gene took a brave leap in this novel when he truly didn't have to. This is a trait that is unfortunately not seen in today's society which makes what Gene a non conformist
ReplyDeleteI think un-conformity is shown in chapter 5 when Gene tells the truth wich is so un usual for that situation. Many people today and in that time would not admit that they purposly shook their best friend out of a tree and the fact that he did admit it is very brave and shows they have an honesty code in their friendship and that it is real. This situation might bring them closer as friends.
ReplyDeleteChapter 5 is very similar to the bible. The characters motives and actions are very similar. The only differences in this case is that cain had god telling him what to do while jene told himself the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteA form of conformity in Chapter 6 can be seen when Gene fights Cliff Quackenbush. Gene knows he shouldn't be fighting people, but he does it anuway
ReplyDeleteA form of conformity in the beginning of Chapter 6 is how everything seemed to go back to normal. No matter how many radicals things happened everyone else isn't affected by it and they can just get on with there lives. To conclude one person can not change the lifestyle of a group.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter Leper decides to look for a beaver dam while the other kids shovel the snow. Leper is showing non-conformity in this chapter because he knows what the other kids are doing and he decides that he wants to do his own thing and he tries to recruit other kids into his expedition
ReplyDeleteA form of conformity in chapter 7 is when Gene and Brinker go to smoke in the "Butt Room". This is a form of conformity because Gene knows it is wrong and he is doing it only because Brinker told him to. He is going against what he believes to to what everybody else is doing. Gene is falling to peer pressure and he what he is doing is wrong.
ReplyDeleteUnconformity is shown in chapter 6 when Gene is insulted by Quackenbush but he puts it beyond him. He could easly get very upset and bothered by it causing him to do things he wouldnt normaly do but he doesnt. He stayed and took it from Quackenbush.
ReplyDeleteA form of non-conformity can be seen in chapter 8 when Gene decides that he shouldn't join the army. This is a form of non-conformity because Gene is being an individual by saying no to joining the army, although Brinker said they should do it.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 8 a form of conformity is when Finny convinces Gene and Tinker not to join the army. This shows one persons thought taking over other peoples actions. The groups leader is able to take over the entire groups thought and they do not think for themselves. This shows that they were wanting to join the army not because they actually wanted to join but instead on a brisk decision to join.
ReplyDeleteConformity is shown when Brinker brings Gene down to the "Butt Room" and him and his friends are all making fun of Gene saying that he was on trail and tried killing Finny off for a larger room. He never got defencive about it but he played along even though it was secretly upsetting him.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7**
DeleteIn chapter 8 unconformity is shown when he is training with Finny and he knows he isnt as good as him when it comes to sports but he keeps training and trying his hardest not worrying about Finny making fun of him. Also when Gene helps Finny with school, FInny would be the un conformist in this situation.
ReplyDeleteA form of individuality in chapter 9 can be seen when Leper enlists in the army. Leper is showing individuality because not many boys at Devon enlist in the army, they hope to not get drafted. It is surprising that Leper enlisted in the army because of his characteristics. I think it is really brave what Leper has done, because he is risking his life by enlisting in the army.
ReplyDeleteA form of individuality in chapter 10 can be seen when Gene visits Leper in his "Christmas location". When Gene meets Leper, Leper tells him that he has left the army. He says that he escaped from the spies, clearly Leper is hallucinating. This is a form of individuality because Leper is being an individual by leaving the army because not many people do.
ReplyDeleteA form of conformity in chapter 11 can be seen when Finny starts to believe in the war. Finny used to think that the war was made up by fat rich men, but when Gene tells him that Leper has become insane, Finny believes that the war is real. It is a form of conformity because he is believing what everybody else is believing, instead of beveling in what thinks is true
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, this is a risky statement to say because finny always believed in war. He was only pretending he doesn't because the sorrow of him not being able to join due to his broken leg killed him inside. BUT NICE EXPLANATION!!
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