Chapter 6 Question #4: Re-read the last sentence of chapter 6 (p84-85). Explain what is happening in the quote (establish context) and then explore and explain the last part “I lost part of myself to him then, and a soaring sense of freedom revealed that this must have been my purpose from the first: to become part of Phineas” (85) (Cameron)
With this quote at the end of chapter 6, Knowles shows how Gene and Finny are intertwined and begin to identify as one person. Phineas and Gene have a telephone call, and Gene tells Finny that he chose to be the Assistant Crew Manager for his Spring sport. Gene didn't want to play sports because he felt guilty for disabling, or "maiming," Finny. The Assistant Crew Manager is a job that a maimed person would take. By taking this job meant for a physically disabled person, Gene is almost becoming Finny. When Gene admits to Finny that he is the Assistant Crew Manager, Finny is mortified. Finny says to Gene, "Listen, pal, if I can't play sports, you're going to play them for me" (Knowles, 85). This is another example of how Gene and Finny are almost becoming one person. First, Gene dressed up in Finny's clothes to feel more connected to him. Now, Gene is going to take up the role of sports that Finny has left behind. When Finny tells Gene that he has to play sports for him, it fills Gene with a "soaring sense of freedom" and he begins to forgive himself (Knowles, 85). Finny relieves Gene of some of his guilt for hurting him, and this makes Gene feel freedom. This idea, that he can become Finny, gives Gene a sense of relief and peace when he realizes that this must have been his purpose all along.
I think that Gene wants to 'become' Finny because while Finny is a rival, he is also like an idol to Gene. While Gene is relatively suspicious, Finny is open-hearted, good at sports, and knows how to get what he wants. Finny possesses charisma that draws people to him as well. When Finny is arguing with Mr. Prud'homme, he does not actually care about the punishment. Instead, "he pressed his advantage because he saw that Mr. Prud'homme was pleased, won over in spite of himself," (Knowles, 22). People like Finny, and want to do what he asks, and all the while, Gene watches, jealous, wanting to be recognized. Gene wants to 'become' Finny, because he admires all the qualities that he is jealous of in his friend.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the book, with Finny not back at Devon, the reader is unsure of the dynamic between Finny and Gene both regarding the accident and in life now after the accident. Does Finny believe that Gene intentionally pushed him out of the tree? Does Gene feel guilt about what occurred in the tree? If so, how will he repent and make things right with Gene? This conversation on the phone between the friends, ends with "if I can't play sports, you're going to play them for me" (p. 85). This quote seems to answer many of the questions that we have about the "accident" in the tree. If Gene plays sports in place of Finny because of his injury, does it bring peace and forgiveness to the friends? Is it possible that Gene's penance for the accident and Finny's injury will be to "become a part of Phineas"?
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