History Characters / ASeparatePeace

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Implied to be a relatively nice boy, if not somewhat reserved. However, his temper is not to be trifled with, and behind his [[TheStoic stoic]] facade he hides a myriad of brutal insecurities and envy, leading to him [[spoiler:indirectly murdering someone]]. Leper describes him as "a swell guy, until the chips are down"...

* AmbiguouslyChristian: In his narration, Gene makes multiple fleeting allusions to Christianity and [[Literature/TheBible the Bible]], suggesting that he has reasonably extensive knowledge of that religion (or at least the Bible itself). However, Gene never explicitly discusses his religious beliefs. In addition, some details would traditionally conflict with him being Christian, such as the fact that he frequently uses variations of "Jesus Christ" as a curse and admits he only prays to impress his roommate. It's possible that [[RaisedCatholic Gene's family is Christian]], but he doesn't consider himself Christian. Lastly, if you believe the interpretation that the book is actually about Gene's repressed homosexuality, the implication of Gene being raised a traditional Catholic could provide some extra background for his homophobia.

* AmbiguouslyBi: In the short story ''Phineas''--essentially the prototype of ''A Separate Peace''--it's confirmed that he likes girls, and he talks animatedly about how he's slept with three of them (which is why he's this instead of AmbiguouslyGay). However, the entire [[Literature/ASeparatePeace book]] is about his relationship with his best friend [[AmbiguouslyGay Gene,]] who he absolutely adores. The intensity of their unusual closeness makes one question whether their feelings for one another are truly platonic.

* TheCharmer: One of his defining traits. He can charm anybody--including the uncompromising, strict [[BoardingSchool Devon]] teachers--into doing what he wants. It's also implied in ''Phineas'' that he ReallyGetsAround--but his stories are completely matter-of-fact, and he omits the girls' names out of respect.

* ReallyGetsAround: Downplayed, but in ''Phineas'' (basically the short story version of ''A Separate Peace''), he describes his sexual escapades with three different girls to Gene. Keep in mind he's sixteen years old.

* SharpDressedMan: Though he doesn't seem to dress conservatively like many examples of this trope, he is mentioned to be very well-dressed, to the point where he draws attention because of it.

* RichInDollarsPoorInSense: Downplayed and potentially justified. Finny likely comes from a wealthy family, and he is a handsome sports prodigy on top of that. Gene comments several times that his charm and good looks get him through life, which allows him to [[BookDumb not give a damn about his schoolwork]]. This is probably the most relevant when he expresses annoyance with the lack of maids at Devon, despite the fact that it's because of [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the war]]. This is one of the only times that Gene genuinely disapproves of him.

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a [[TheCynic cynical]], neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is a ConsummateLiar and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--[[DisproportionateRetribution because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and biting his fist (described suspiciously like self-harm)]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* TheCharmer: One of his defining traits. He can charm anybody--including the uncompromising, strict [[BoardingSchool Devon]] teachers--into doing what he wants. It's also implied in ''Phineas'' that he ReallyGetsAround, though Gene notes how his stories are completely matter-of-fact and he omits the girls' names out of respect.

* TheCharmer: One of his defining traits. He can charm anybody--including the uncompromising, strict [[BoardingSchool Devon]] teachers--into doing what he wants. It's also implied in ''Phineas'' that he ReallyGetsAround, though Gene notes how his accounts are completely matter-of-fact and he omits the girls' names out of respect.

* ReallyGetsAround: In ''Phineas'' (basically the short story version of ''A Separate Peace''), he describes in detail to Gene how he's slept with three girls. Keep in mind he's sixteen years old and the story takes place in 1940s Puritan New England.

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a [[TheCynic cynical]], neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is a ConsummateLiar and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--[[DisproportionateRetribution because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and biting his fist (described suspiciously like self-harm)]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* NoNameGiven: No ''last'' name given.

* BookDumb: Gets a steady procession of Ds in 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 extremely eloquent when speaking.

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is very cynical and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--[[DisproportionateRetribution because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and biting his fist (described suspiciously like self-harm)]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is very cynical and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--[[DisproportionateRetribution because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and biting his fist in a description that sounds suspiciously like self-harm]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is very cynical and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--[[DisproportionateRetribution because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and self-harming]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is very cynical and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:[[DisproportionateRetribution causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and self-harming]], followed by visiting Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]]. He then has a period of [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation before falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* AmbiguousDisorder: He's a neurotic [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist]] who is very cynical and [[UnreliableNarrator more emotionally unstable than his dispassionate narration might make you think]]. This alone isn't necessarily anything unusual, but his behavior becomes extreme in certain situations, especially whenever he's around Finny. Though it's an AmbiguousSituation, he supposedly [[spoiler:[[DisproportionateRetribution causes Finny's fall from the tree--and thus his death, however indirectly--because he was distracting him from his schoolwork]]]]. In addition, he physically attacks Quackenbush (throwing him into the river), Leper (knocking him off his chair), and Brinker (choking him with a jug of hard cider) with little to no provocation. There are also some rather subtle clues in the text that something may be wrong with Gene: Finny implies he's a NervousWreck who [[CigaretteOfAnxiety smokes all the time to keep his anxiety in check]], and Gene himself makes a strange, offhanded comment about only loving "deadly" things--further explaining that if they are not deadly on their own, he will make them deadly. Finally, his breakdown near the end of the book is extremely unsettling: he [[spoiler:laughs hysterically while simultaneously crying and self-harming]], then visits Finny in the [[spoiler:infirmary to insist he's going to fix his broken leg--[[LampshadeHanging while internally noting he sounds like he's gone crazy]]]], followed by [[spoiler:extremely intense dissociation and falling asleep on the outside bleachers]].

* LovableNerd: The other boys consider him quite odd due to his interest in nature and lack of interest in things such as sports--not to mention the fact that he seems a bit oblivious about how to have a regular conversation with someone. However, there's no doubt the readers consider these things to be [[{{Adorkable}} endearing.]]

* 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, as homosexuality is often identified as a sin.

* ConspiracyTheorist: He has a conspiracy that [[spoiler:wars and the like are orchestrated by the "fat old men" of the government to keep the youth in line]]...except it turns out he [[spoiler:[[BelievingTheirOwnLies convinced himself of this]] so he'd feel better about not being able to participate in the War himself]].

* HiddenDepths: At the end of the book it's revealed he's not the [[spoiler:[[UncorruptiblePurePureness impenetrable,]] [[AllLovingHero all-loving]] [[TheIdealist idealist]] we thought and is in fact suffering greatly due to the fact that he can no longer play sports or even join the War]]. To really drive this home, he makes several [[spoiler:[[OOCIsSeriousBusiness uncharacteristically cynical statements]] such as saying he will "''hate it everywhere''" if he's not in the War and he doesn't know if he can take it anymore]]. This is [[{{Foreshadowing}} foreshadowed]] by what Finny accidentally blurts out at one point earlier in the book, during an argument with Gene: [[spoiler:that he's suffered]].

* BreakTheCutie: What [[spoiler:enlisting in the War]] does to him. Formerly a kind, tranquil boy, he begins [[spoiler:hallucinating, breaking into fits of laughter, and just outright weeping. He also loses his manners, deciding other people aren't worth being polite to]].

* HiddenDepths: He's viewed for most of the book as an odd NatureLover who is made fun of by the other boys, though he remains an oblivious NiceGuy. However, after he [[spoiler:enlists in the War he stops being polite on account of other people]], and he reveals that [[spoiler:he actually holds resentment for the boys that constantly mocked him]].

* {{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]].

* CharacterDevelopment: In spite of what those high school study guides 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.

* BestFriend: To Finny. [[spoiler:Kind of.]]

* AmbiguousDisorder: After [[spoiler:enlisting in the army, he returns with a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder]]. Though this is relatively clear, the way it's written is a bit strange, causing certain readers to speculate there are other things going on with him as well.

A friendly, unassuming boy who loves animals and nature. Clearly an outsider, as he is frequently made fun of by the other 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.]]

* LivingEmotionalCrutch: To Gene, as a result of their unhealthily codependent relationship. [[spoiler:Even after he dies, Gene is totally obsessed with him, or at least the memory of him.]]