The document discusses symbols in the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles. It summarizes that the huge tree beside the river symbolizes childhood giants that are smaller with age. The tree also represents fear that the main character Gene must overcome. The marble staircase represents the hard reality of death. Blitzball is a game that pushes one athlete to excel and also symbolizes war. The Devon River represents innocence where the boys swim, while the Naguamsett River is ugly and represents Gene's baptism into hate when he falls in it.

2. The Tree The tree "was tremendous, an irate, steely black steeple beside the river." HOME

4. The Tree The tree is fear itself - fear that Gene must climb and conquer. And, like in the Garden of Eden, it symbolized knowledge of good and evil. HOME

6. Marble Staircase Gene realizes how hard the marble is, and notes how "surprising [it is] that [he] had overlooked that, that crucial fact" HOME

7. Marble Staircase "That crucial fact" led to Finny’s death. HOME

8. Marble Staircase It symbolizes the hard cold reality of death and the irrevocable consequences of our actions. HOME

10. Finny “had unconsciously invented a game which brought his own athletic gifts to their highest pitch. The odds were tremendously against the ball carrier, so that Phinneas was driven to exceed himself practically every day when he carried the ball.” Blitzball HOME

11. It represents the individual struggle of each student at Devon, who finds himself alone in a world without teammates. HOME Blitzball

12. Blitzball is an undeniable symbol of war – it’s very name derived from the German warfare strategy of “Blitzkrieg.” HOME Blitzball

14. Devon River The river was clean and narrow with fresh water HOME

15. Devon River It was where the boys swam and where they jumped from the tree. HOME

16. Devon River Innocence and Purity The Garden of Eden HOME

18. Naguamsett River The Naguamsett River was as unfamiliar and ugly as the war was to the Devon students. “It was ugly, saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed." HOME

19. Naguamsett River Gene received his “baptism” of hate when he fell in the Naguamsett during a fight. HOME

20. Naguamsett River Sin and Corruption Life outside the Garden of Eden HOME