There are several ways to examine Knowles iconic novel. One way is to examine it as a war film, wherein young adolescents are prepared for the hardships of war. Another way is to examine the text as a test of friendship, an examination of honor and betrayal. Does Gene betray his friend Finny by “accidentially” pushing him from the tree? Does this question even matter, given what transpires after the initial accident? One can even examine the text as a crisis of identity for Gene who—at least psychologically—attempts to become Finny.

Another way of fleshing out the novels themes is to compare it to a similar work from another time period, and that’s what we’ll do with a final analysis of the the novel. We’re going to compare it to a film version of William Wharton’s novel Birdy, a book about another male friendship during a time of war: the Vietnam War. Our setting has changed locale as well, as we are now in the lower-class neighborhood of Philadelphia rather than the wealthy, ensconced woods of New England. How does the friendship between Birdy and Al mirror that of Finny and Gene? What similarities do you see between these two texts? Which differences? How does comparing the two give you deeper insight into Knowles book?

We will begin watching the film Tuesday. While doing so, I will meet with students to discuss your paragraphs on Finny, a revision of which is due next week.