In the novel A Separate Peace, author John Knowles creates a unique relationship between the two main characters Gene Forrester and Phineas, also known as Finny. The boys have a love-hate relationship, which becomes the basis of problems throughout the book. The setting of this novel, a preparatory school in New Hampshire known as Devon, creates a peaceful environment where world war will not corrupt the boys. The boys may be protected from war, but they are not protected from each other. Throughout the book Finny manipulates Gene. These recurring manipulations cause Gene to follow in Finny's footsteps and begin to live through Finny. The lives of the two boys change radically when an accident occurs. Instead of Gene living through Finny, Finny begins living through Gene. From the beginning to the middle of the book Gene lives through Finny. "'Come on,' said Finny from below, 'stop standing there showing off.'...'Jump!'" (Knowles 9). Finny had an extremely adventurous idea. He decided that he wanted to jump from a tree into the river below. Finny also wanted the other boys who were with him to jump off the tree. After Finny jumped, he tried to persuade Gene to follow his example and jump off the tree. Gene, a very conservative individual, did not he didn't even dream of jumping down the tree but Finny managed to do it. Gene climbed the tree and jumped into the river because Finny manipulated him. "Studying! You know, books. Work. Exams" (Knowles 49). Finny has come to tell Gene that one of the boys named Leper has finally decided to jump from the tree into the river. Gene finally explodes and starts yelling at Finny. Gene tells Finny that he needs to studying for the French final and that he can't waste time with a stupid game. At this moment, Finny finally realizes that Gene actually has to study to get good grades. Finny always thought that school for Gene was as easy as it was for him it's sport. When Finny realizes this, he tells Gene he has to study '"Don't move from that desk. It's all A' to you" (Knowles 50). Suddenly Gene was perplexed. He couldn't understand that Finny was actually telling him to stay home and study.