Gene realizes in Chapter 2 of A Separate Peace by John
Knowles that "Phineas was the essence of this careless peace," the reminder of what
peace is like with the threat of war hovering over the adults. Only sixteen, Finny and
the other boys his age are registered with no draft board; they have not been tagged as
defective in any way.
Absolutely amazed at Finny's ability
to thwart authority, he witnesses the candor and innocence of Phineas as he displays a
"calm ignorance of the rules with a winning urge to be good" that inevitability wins
over authority. As he boldly tells Mr. Prud'homme, who in spite of himself is
pleased, that the real reason they have missed so many meals is the fact that they had
to jump out of the tree, an act that is far more grievous than missing a meal. But, the
glib Phineas rambles on jovially about their going to be seventeen and they can soon
join the army, so Mr. Prud'homme forgives the youths in their last chances at
freedom.
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