Have you read A Separate Peace, by John Knowles?

Question

If so, what do you think cause Gene to live in fear during his years at Devon? What role does Finny seem to play in helping him escape his fear?

Answer 1

You must consider the context of the book - these boys had been living a sheltered life at school, and are suddenly faced with the reality of war. Finny was the human anchor of the book (and, years later, the ending still makes me angry with certain characters).