A Separate Peace #5 Major Change(s) in the Main Character(s)

Brinker Hadley is a character of much interest in this progressing story. Just as A Separate Piece develops from page to page, so does this complex individual. The son of a military officer, Brinker is cared for and fed only the best, creating the perfect child who is engaged in every activity and every conversation. He is what you could call, the “life of the party,” being naturally liked by everyone and smooth with how he can control the mood of the atmosphere. For example, Brinker could instantly improve the mood of the area by cracking a joke, or instead dampen everyone’s spirits by snarling out a brutal remark. However, this perfect boy is changed drastically after Gene refuses to enlist with him, wearing tattered jeans and boots to replace his exemplary dress clothes. Brinker falls into a depressed state of shock, withdrawing from all of his unnecessary activities and using his social power for different reasons. Before the change he simply joked with Gene about the accident, but changed he is a different boy altogether. He drags both Phineas and Gene to the First Building and questions them about the day of the accident. If Brinker can’t enlist with Gene then he isn’t going to let him waste his life with Finny. Whether Brinker forces the truth to come out of hatred, or out of guidance for Gene, he still lacks the qualities to sympathize with others. Instead of helping Phineas to become more than a burden to Gene, he opts for the brutal path and separates the two with the truth: Gene intentionally caused Finny to fall. Brinker changes from the innocent boy bent on impressing everyone around him, becoming a boy warped with bitterness, destined to ditch everything he inspired to be.

One thought on “A Separate Peace #5 Major Change(s) in the Main Character(s)

  1. Good choice. I think looking at Brinker is a interesting idea as he may seem in the “background” but he’s a viable part of the story. -kb

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