The themes of the story are both affected by the presence of unruly friends. Both literary pieces implied that friendship was important. For instance, in The Dead Poet’s Society Neil helped Todd overcome his sadness about his birthday, by getting Todd to throw it off the school. Also, in A Separate Peace Finny befriended Gene instantly and showed him around the school perimeters. “Carpe Diem”, a major them in The Dead Poet’s Society means, “seize the day”. This implies that tomorrow may be too late to accomplish your passion and life dreams. Instead, A Separate Peace has a theme based on loyalty. Gene couldn’t let Finny down, because they were best friends. Moreover, The Dead Poet’s Society does not include the theme of finding one’s self or betrayal. In A Separate Peace Gene has trouble facing reality, so Finny told him that Gene would take up his position as an athletic student. Gene expressed his feelings and admitted that his destiny was to become one with Finny. Gene later on knew that he and Finny were separate entities, and he had his own destiny. He took a dramatic step, and entered the army. In this scene, Gene went through a revelation of thought and chose his own path. Gene had to be able to take care of his responsibilities that day.
The students that attended the Devon School are closely related to the students that attended the Welton School. Finny and Neil were considered the ringleaders in the stories. Neil, from The Dead Poet’s Society established the group of young adults to meet at the cave and read poetry. It was Neil who initiated the meeting and took charge of the occasion. Furthermore, Finny founded the suicide society, which meet everyday. Neil and Finny were able to encourage their friends through the darkest of times. Stated in A Separate Peace Finny gave Gene the option of not coming to the initiation of Leper. This action showed similar feeling towards their friend. Neil displayed affection for his friend when helped Todd overcome his sadness about his birthday, by getting Todd to throw it of the school. This side of their personalities is rather similar.
Despite these traits that are alike, Finny and Neil have different qualities that make each of them unique. Neil has a dream in the story, and it is to act. Acting is Neil’s passion, and he went behind his own father’s back just to act. The way Neil’s father acted ultimately led to his death. Neil could not stand the thought of not being able to do what he wanted, so he reacted in the only way he knew how, SUICIDE. However, Finny is more in love with sports, and he does not have much insight for what he wants to do in the future. Gene, Finny’s best friend, is the cause of Finny’s death. Finny dies because he can no longer cope with what Gene had done to him. Gene had practically pushed Finny out of the tree and maimed him for life. Finny dies because his heart stops beating, symbolizing a broken heart full of sadness and grief.
Both stories have their similarities and contrasts. In the dead The Dead Poet’s Society the boys find away to express themselves through individualism and poetry; however, in A Separate Peace a few friends find out what it really takes to become a man and who troubling the obstacles are. Moreover, Finny and Neil are more alike than meets the eye, but each character has their preferences.
