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* AmbiguouslyChristian: In his narration, Gene makes multiple fleeting implications and allusions to Christianity and related things, suggesting that he has reasonably extensive knowledge of the religion. However, Gene never explicitly discusses his religious beliefs, and there are things that conflict with him being Christian, such as frequently using "Jesus Christ" and variations of it as a curse and only praying to impress his roommate. It seems quite possible that [[RaisedCatholic Gene's family is Christian]], but he doesn't consider himself Christian.
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* AmbiguouslyChristian: In his narration, Gene makes multiple fleeting implications and allusions to Christianity and related things, suggesting that he has reasonably extensive knowledge of the religion. However, Gene never explicitly discusses his religious beliefs, and there are things that conflict with him being Christian, such as frequently using "Jesus Christ" and variations of it as a curse and only praying to impress his roommate. It seems quite possible that [[RaisedCatholic Gene's family is Christian]], but he doesn't consider himself Christian. Also, if you believe the interpretation that the book is actually about Gene's repressed homosexuality, this could potentially provide some extra background for his homophobia.
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* AmbiguouslyChristian: In his narration, Gene makes multiple fleeting implications and allusions to Christianity and related things, suggesting that he has reasonably extensive knowledge of the religion. However, Gene never explicitly discusses his religious beliefs, and there are things that conflict with him being Christian, such as frequently using "Jesus Christ" and variations of it as a curse and only praying to impress his roommate. It seems quite possible that [[RaisedCatholic Gene's family is Christian]], but he doesn't consider himself Christian.
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* {{Adorkable}}: He's a mild-tempered, glasses-wearing boy who loves animals and nature, so absolutely! Unfortunately, this trope is no longer applicable after he...[[spoiler:loses his mind]].
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* NotSoStoic: Represses his emotions and, thus, generally comes off as very controlled and perhaps aloof. However, there an incidents during which his mask falls apart, such as when he throws Quackenbush in the river for indirectly insulting Finny and when he kicks Leper over in his chair for claiming he's a [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters "savage underneath."]]
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* NotSoStoic: Represses his emotions and, thus, generally comes off as very controlled and perhaps aloof. However, there an are incidents during which his mask falls apart, such as when he throws fights Quackenbush in the river for indirectly insulting Finny and when he kicks Leper over in his chair for claiming he's a [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters "savage underneath."]]
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* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Sort of. Teenage Gene is incredibly intelligent on multiple levels; however, as is the case with most intelligent children and teenagers, his ''emotional'' intelligence corresponds with his age.
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* LikeFatherUnlikeSon: His father acts like war is a game and insists that flaunting your war experiences when you're older is the best way to make people respect you. In the beginning, [[LikeFatherLikeSon Brinker has a similar attitude.]] However, after his CharacterDevelopment, Brinker is resentful of his father's perspective on war, believing himself that it is pointless and awful.
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* CharacterDevelopment: In spite of what those high school study guides what have you think, Brinker can't be considered a completely static character. Throughout the book, he ''does'' realize that war isn't just a game to play at.
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* CharacterDevelopment: In spite of what those high school study guides what would have you think, Brinker can't be considered a completely static character. Throughout the book, he ''does'' realize that war isn't just a game to play at.
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* CharacterDevelopment: At the beginning of the book, he's paranoid, jealous, insecure, and dangerously competitive. By the end of the book he's obtained significant peace of mind, having developed the philosophy that ignorance is what pits people against each other and there's no such thing as "enemies."
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* CharacterDevelopment: In spite of what those high school study guides what have you think, Brinker can't be considered a completely static character. Throughout the book, he ''does'' realize that war isn't just a game to play at.
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* CatchPhrase: Says "pal" and "naturally" a lot.
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* BadLiar: He's a very genuine, straightforward person, so this isn't surprising. Gene says he's terrible at poker.
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* AllLovingHero: Finny loves and sees the best in everyone. Or at least, [[UnreliableNarrator Gene claims he does.]]
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!!Gene
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!!Finny
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!!Brinker
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!!Leper
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* OnlySaneMan: Well, Finny's a [[spoiler:StepfordSmiler who immerses himself in delusions and conspiracies to remain carefree]], Gene indirectly [[spoiler:murders Finny]], and Leper [[spoiler:becomes severely mentally ill after enlisting in the army]]. So this sounds about right.
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* MrFanservice: Well, the book is told from Gene's perspective, and [[AmbiguouslyGay Gene tends to go off on long, detailed tangents describing Finny's physical beauty.]]
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* ItsAllAboutMe: Rather self-absorbed, as he tends to assume Gene always wants to do the things ''he'' wants to do and does not bother asking. Then again, Gene never ''tells'' Finny when he doesn't want to do something.
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* InSeriesNickname: Finny.
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* InSeriesNickname: Is eventually nicknamed Yellow Peril by Finny due to a joke about him actually being Madame Chiang Kai-Shek.
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* DeadpanSnarker: Makes some pretty snarky comments at times. He mentions that 1942 was his "sarcastic summer" and implies that his older self is not nearly as snarky.
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* BookDumb: Gets a steady procession of Ds in school, but is definitely not "dumb" in every respect. For example, he's actually [[TheCharmer extremely eloquent.]]
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* BookDumb: Gets a steady procession of Ds in school, school and comments that no amount of studying could get him higher than a C, but is definitely not "dumb" in every respect. For example, he's actually [[TheCharmer extremely eloquent.]]eloquent when speaking.
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* BookDumb: Gets a steady procession of Ds in school, but is definitely not "dumb" in every respect. For example, he's actually [[TheCharmer extremely eloquent.]]
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]].
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]].objective.
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* AuthorAvatar: [[WordOfGod John Knowles]] stated that although there's a bit of him in every character, the one based the most on him is Gene.
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* AuthorAvatar: [[WordOfGod John Knowles]] Knowles stated that although there's a bit of him in every character, the one based the most on him is Gene.
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* AuthorAvatar: [[WordOfGod John Knowles]] stated that although there's a bit of him in every character, the one based the most on him is Gene.
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* GreenEyedMonster: One of the major themes of the book is how influenced Gene is by his jealousy and the horrific consequences of this.
* NotSoStoic: Represses his emotions and, thus, generally comes off as very controlled and perhaps aloof. However, there an incidents during which his mask falls apart, such as when he throws Quackenbush in the river for indirectly insulting Finny and when he kicks Leper over in his chair for claiming he's a [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters "savage underneath."]]
* NotSoStoic: Represses his emotions and, thus, generally comes off as very controlled and perhaps aloof. However, there an incidents during which his mask falls apart, such as when he throws Quackenbush in the river for indirectly insulting Finny and when he kicks Leper over in his chair for claiming he's a [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters "savage underneath."]]
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* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: According to Gene, Finny is one of the few truly good people in the world, as well as one of the few people who isn't controlled by fear or spite. However, with the reveal that he is a [[spoiler:StepfordSmiler]], we really have to emphasize the [[UnreliableNarrator ''according to Gene'']] part.
* WhatBeautifulEyes: Has striking blue-green eyes.
* WhatBeautifulEyes: Has striking blue-green eyes.
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* NotSoAboveItAll: Usually acts like he's above Finny's antics, but willingly helps organize Finny's Winter Carnival after becoming more rebellious.
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* NoRespectGuy: Constantly mocked by the other boys, even though he's one of the nicest people in the school. Originally is just played off as an unimportant relationship dynamic at Devon that Leper himself is oblivious to before later being [[spoiler:PlayedForDrama when it's revealed he actually ''understands'' that nobody respects him and secretly resents it.]]
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* BerserkButton: Insulting Finny (even indirectly, as demonstrated by Quackenbush) and trying to talk about his [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters true nature.]]
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* {{Keet}}: Exuberant and outgoing, Finny wants nothing other than to have fun, and will make sure you know it.
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* TheCynic: Sarcastic, depressive, and believes human beings are fundamentally ignorant and fearful. Half of a CynicIdealistDuo, the other half being Finny.
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, [[BlatantLies but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]] It's understood from this that while he clearly doesn't feel ''worthy'' of attention, his implications that he receives none are completely inaccurate.
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, [[BlatantLies but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]] It's understood from this that while he clearly doesn't feel ''worthy'' of attention, his implications that he receives none are completely inaccurate.
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* TheIdealist: Cheerful, optimistic, and believes anything you love will love you back. Half of a CynicIdealistDuo, the other half being Gene.
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A friendly, unassuming boy who loves animals and nature and is a loner. Clearly an outsider, as he is frequently made fun of by the other boys. [[spoiler:After enlisting in World War II and subsequently losing his mind, he changes significantly, becoming bitter and emotionally erratic.]]
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A friendly, unassuming boy who loves animals and nature and is a loner. nature. Clearly an outsider, as he is frequently made fun of by the other boys.boys and tends to hang out by himself. [[spoiler:After enlisting in World War II and subsequently losing his mind, he changes significantly, becoming bitter and emotionally erratic.]]
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* NatureLover: Enjoys walking through forests and photographing beaver dams. What more do you need?
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, [[BlatantLies but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, [[BlatantLies but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]]] It's understood from this that while he clearly doesn't feel ''worthy'' of attention, his implications that he receives none are completely inaccurate.
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantLies you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantLies you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, [[BlatantLies but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantCrap you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
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* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantCrap [[BlatantLies you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
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[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Gene Forrester]]
!!Gene
The narrator of the book. A quiet, intelligent boy who represses his feelings, often making him victim to paranoia and aggressive outbursts of emotion.
----
* AmbiguouslyGay: Very, ''very'' obsessed with Finny, emotional and physical aspects both included. He also gives an infamous paragraph-long description of how nice Brinker's butt is.
* EmoTeen: Could definitely be considered this, since he's cynical, angsty, self-loathing, and, of course, emotional.
* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantCrap you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Phineas]]
!!Finny
A handsome, charismatic boy who is the best athlete in the Devon School. Extremely popular and well-loved by everyone.
----
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Supposedly the most beautiful and most good-hearted boy in Devon, although this is according to [[UnreliableNarrator Gene]].
* BigManOnCampus: The most popular boy in the entirety of the Devon School. His magnetic personality wins over everyone, including the stubborn, strait-laced Devon teachers.
* LovableJock: Both the best athlete at Devon and one of the friendliest boys there.
* SchoolIdol: Admired by all the boys at Devon, Finny is this ''in spades.''
* StepfordSmiler: After he [[spoiler:breaks his leg and is unable to pursue sports, his passion]], Finny still acts as carefree as ever. However, near the end of the book, he starts to [[spoiler:cry]] and confesses to Gene that he has indeed been [[spoiler:suffering]] on the inside.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Brinker Hadley]]
!!Brinker
The witty, popular class politician with an attitude and a devotion to justice. Initially dresses conservatively and takes part in many community service-type clubs, but eventually becomes more of a rebel.
----
* BigManOnCampus: He's one of the most popular boys in the class. Gene mentions that there are very few boys at Devon who dislike Brinker.
* TheNicknamer: It's mentioned by Gene that he spends his time at Devon creating nicknames for other boys while avoiding being assigned one himself.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Elwin Lepellier]]
!!Leper
A friendly, unassuming boy who loves animals and nature and is a loner. Clearly an outsider, as he is frequently made fun of by the other boys. [[spoiler:After enlisting in World War II and subsequently losing his mind, he changes significantly, becoming bitter and emotionally erratic.]]
----
* InSeriesNickname: Leper, which both looks similar to his last name and alludes to his position as a social pariah at Devon--although it's doubtful the boys who gave him this nickname were thinking of that second part.
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Though the other boys seem to ''know'' his real name, nobody ever calls him anything but Leper. Gene comments at one point that Leper would not remember to answer to any other name.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gene Forrester]]
!!Gene
The narrator of the book. A quiet, intelligent boy who represses his feelings, often making him victim to paranoia and aggressive outbursts of emotion.
----
* AmbiguouslyGay: Very, ''very'' obsessed with Finny, emotional and physical aspects both included. He also gives an infamous paragraph-long description of how nice Brinker's butt is.
* EmoTeen: Could definitely be considered this, since he's cynical, angsty, self-loathing, and, of course, emotional.
* UnreliableNarrator: Tends to see things through a lens that is [[{{Understatement}} not very objective]]. For example, [[BlatantCrap you would think from the way he talks about himself that he's an introvert who isn't very popular, but his best friend is the most popular boy in the school.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Phineas]]
!!Finny
A handsome, charismatic boy who is the best athlete in the Devon School. Extremely popular and well-loved by everyone.
----
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Supposedly the most beautiful and most good-hearted boy in Devon, although this is according to [[UnreliableNarrator Gene]].
* BigManOnCampus: The most popular boy in the entirety of the Devon School. His magnetic personality wins over everyone, including the stubborn, strait-laced Devon teachers.
* LovableJock: Both the best athlete at Devon and one of the friendliest boys there.
* SchoolIdol: Admired by all the boys at Devon, Finny is this ''in spades.''
* StepfordSmiler: After he [[spoiler:breaks his leg and is unable to pursue sports, his passion]], Finny still acts as carefree as ever. However, near the end of the book, he starts to [[spoiler:cry]] and confesses to Gene that he has indeed been [[spoiler:suffering]] on the inside.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Brinker Hadley]]
!!Brinker
The witty, popular class politician with an attitude and a devotion to justice. Initially dresses conservatively and takes part in many community service-type clubs, but eventually becomes more of a rebel.
----
* BigManOnCampus: He's one of the most popular boys in the class. Gene mentions that there are very few boys at Devon who dislike Brinker.
* TheNicknamer: It's mentioned by Gene that he spends his time at Devon creating nicknames for other boys while avoiding being assigned one himself.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Elwin Lepellier]]
!!Leper
A friendly, unassuming boy who loves animals and nature and is a loner. Clearly an outsider, as he is frequently made fun of by the other boys. [[spoiler:After enlisting in World War II and subsequently losing his mind, he changes significantly, becoming bitter and emotionally erratic.]]
----
* InSeriesNickname: Leper, which both looks similar to his last name and alludes to his position as a social pariah at Devon--although it's doubtful the boys who gave him this nickname were thinking of that second part.
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Though the other boys seem to ''know'' his real name, nobody ever calls him anything but Leper. Gene comments at one point that Leper would not remember to answer to any other name.
[[/folder]]
