In Chapter 6 the Devon river
symbolizes Gene entering manhood as the war nears. Summer has ended, and with it
the Devon summer session. Finny is injured and therefore, Gene returns to the
same old Devon, starting his Senior year. During the first scene back, Gene is on his way to crew, and he
walks by the Devon river, but he doesn’t go in. He notes that there are two separate
rivers at the school, one of which is familiar to him, but the other, the Naguamsett
River is strange. Gene studies the Naguamsett, and sees that “it was ugly,
saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed,” (Knowles 76). Compared to the
clear Devon river, the Naguamsett is menacing, and “governed by unimaginable
factors like the Gulf Stream, the Polar Ice Cap, and the mood,” (Knowles 76).
The Devon river, which is fondly remembered by Gene, represents the carefree
summer that he had with Finny, but now as Gene is in his Senior year, the war
awaits him around the corner like the Naguamsett river which is influenced by
outside forces that Gene will soon have to face. The dam that separates the two
rivers represents the Devon school, where the boys played games and were
protected from manhood and the war. However, when Gene shatters the innocent
and carefree nature of his and his friend’s actions and experiences by causing
Finny to break his leg, he transitions from boyhood to manhood. In this chapter
Gene leaves the freshwater Devon river of boyhood behind, and enters the
saltwater Naguamsett of manhood and the war.
1.
Do
you think that Gene is ready for what manhood holds? Why or why not? What experiences
will/will not help him?
2.
Gene
gives many descriptions of the two rivers, which one stands out to you in particular?
Why?
3.
Why
do you think Knowles added this
scene?
I don't think Gene is ready for everything manhood holds. There are many responsibilities that come with adulthood, and Gene is too naive and immature. The summer session has come to an end, and Gene has become the assistant senior crew manager to Cliff Quakenbush. They quickly start to bicker and Gene narrates, " I hit him hard across the face. I didn't know why for an instant," (79). This action shows how Gene is impulsive and makes rash decisions. Gene has make rash decisions like this before (bouncing Finny off the tree), and isn't showing progress maturing. Gene struggles to see things from others points of views, which is especially unhelpful in his society because they are in the midst of a war. Gene is emotionally unstable as well, and this can cause danger to others. Gene sees Devon as his playhouse, and he is not ready to leave and face the real war struck world.
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