Finny’s feelings and emotions about the war are not loving ones. The war has changed many things in Finny’s life and has changed many things at Devon. The war was always something that was creeping up on Finny until he broke his leg. Now the war is something Finny will not have to face, so he doesn’t have to worry about it as much as people such as Gene have to. When Brinker comes in and asked Gene if he is going to enlist the text says, “His large clear eyes turned with an odd expression on me. have never seen such a look in them before. After looking at me closely he said, ‘You’re going to enlist?’”(Knowles 107). This shows the shock Finny felt when he received this information. War is scary, especially when it could be your best friends enlisting. After finding out Gene might enlist Finny is very sassy and impulsively decides to shower but is very reluctant to accept the help he is offered and that he probably needs, which shows he is upset about the news. This is inconsistent with his character because Finny was always the fearless outgoing one, but now he is scared. Finny does not like the idea of the war and acts the way he does because he is scared of it, which is inconsistent with his fearless character.
I think the thought of Gene enlisting is another scary reality Finny is worrying about. Gene enlisting would mean Finny would lose Gene, again. Finny has very little less, so I think the war creeping up is a scary thought to Finny as he will lose Gene. The war to Gene is a way to lose everything in his past, which is opposite to Finny. The injury has changed Finny's outlooks. I think Finny's conspiracy about the war is just to hide the fact that there is no war for Gene to fight in. When Gene explains the maids left because of the war to fight Finny responds, "is there [a war going on]? He murmured absently" (104). I think Finny is closing himself off, because he cannot take more loss. This is not consistent with his character because he shows vulnerability and being scared, which he didn't show before.
ReplyDeleteI disagree a little bit with the posts that Finny feels scared by the war. I don't believe that Finny is as much scared by the war as he is a believer in some sort of government conspiracy regarding the legitimacy of the war. The conversation that occurs between Finny and Gene in the gym is yet another example of how the boys differ in their opinions on the war. Gene asserts when asked what sport he is participating in, "I don't know, sports don't seem all that important with the war on." Finny hammers back, "Have you swallowed all that war stuff? (p. 114). As the two boys banter back and forth about the legitimacy of the war, Finny offers his conspiracy theory thoughts, "they couldn't use that trick forever, so for us in the forties they've cooked up this war fake" (p.115). I feel that this lack of belief in the war is very true to character for Finny, as he always seems to be running against the grain, in addition to not being a great student. Gene's belief in the war, and thoughts of possibly enlisting are also seemingly in character with his rule abiding and more academic self.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mali's post but also I think that Finny doesn't want to believe in the war, so he can stay inside his own comfort bubble of sorts. Finny is still trying his best to be positive during all these times, so he doesn't want to think that there is a war so he can stay happy. When Gene brings up the war in conversation to Finny, he responds, "'Is there?' He murmured absently" (Knowles 88). This absent-mindedness of his suggests that just doesn't want to admit there is a ware going on so he can still maintain a positive outlook. Even for the other scenarios he gives when they are talking in the gym, Finny doesn't want to believe that they are real so he can still be happy.
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