The Naguamsett and the Devon... Gene and Phineas

"It was ugly, saline, fringed with marsh, mud and seaweed" (Knowles 76.) This quote from A Separate Peace uses symbolism to describe our main character, Gene, comparing him too the Naguamsett river. Compared to Phineas, Gene feels very insecure. Phineas is like this perfect, innocent person who hates no one, while Gene is filled with hate and competition. The Devon river eventually flows onto the Naguamsett river. While the Naguamsett river is symbolic of Gene, the Devon river is symbolic of Phineas. The Naguamsett river "... Was nothing like the fresh-water Devon above the dam where we'd had so much fun, all the summer" (Knowles 76.) In this quote, one can obviously point out the differences between the two rivers. The Naguamsett river was nothing like the Devon river, just as Gene was nothing like Phineas.