A Separate PeaceA Separate Peace

• Author: John KnowlesAuthor: John Knowles• Published: 1960Published: 1960• Time period of novel: Time period of novel:

19421942• Faulkner FoundationFaulkner Foundation• PrizePrize• Rosenthal Award of Rosenthal Award of

the Institute of Arts the Institute of Arts and Letters.and Letters.

Exeter PrepExeter Prep

• Setting of the novel is Setting of the novel is – Devon, NH-- based on Devon, NH-- based on

Exeter, NHExeter, NH

• Devon Prep- all boy Devon Prep- all boy boarding school in the boarding school in the novel.novel.

• Philips Exeter AcademyPhilips Exeter Academy– Inspiration for Devon PrepInspiration for Devon Prep– Knowles was a student Knowles was a student

there.there.– http://www.exeter.edu/

• Photo essayPhoto essay• Current tuitionCurrent tuition• Athletic cultureAthletic culture

New HampshireNew Hampshire

N.H., Tell me more!N.H., Tell me more!• Close proximity to Close proximity to

BostonBoston• New England – quiet, New England – quiet,

quaint, “un touched,” quaint, “un touched,” secluded. secluded.

• Activities include: snow Activities include: snow skiing (down hill and skiing (down hill and cross country), cross country), bobsledding, dog bobsledding, dog sledding, hiking, sledding, hiking, swimming, fishing, ice swimming, fishing, ice skating, ice fishing, ice skating, ice fishing, ice hockey, biking, hockey, biking, canoeing/boating.canoeing/boating.

WWII- context for novelWWII- context for novel

• Bombing at Pearl Harbor 2,000 die - Bombing at Pearl Harbor 2,000 die - sudden patriotism and support for sudden patriotism and support for entering the war.entering the war.

• War abroad- impact here- War abroad- impact here- Rations Rations (booklet)(booklet)– Meat, butter, sugar, nylon, canned Meat, butter, sugar, nylon, canned

fruits, fats, oils, cheese, coffee.fruits, fats, oils, cheese, coffee.– Women’s nylon stockings were used for Women’s nylon stockings were used for

war effort- parachutes.war effort- parachutes.

The war that affected all The war that affected all AmericansAmericans

• Rosie the Riveter- for the first time Rosie the Riveter- for the first time women went to work.( following war, women went to work.( following war, they did not want to go back to their they did not want to go back to their role as the house wife)role as the house wife)

• This war was fought by the young. This war was fought by the young. Boys- 18 years old enlisted and Boys- 18 years old enlisted and others willfully accepted drafting.others willfully accepted drafting.

WWII-- PatriotismWWII-- Patriotism

• There was a deep sense of patriotism and There was a deep sense of patriotism and sense of obligation to serve for the countrysense of obligation to serve for the country—They were proud to do it.—They were proud to do it.

• This does not mean that they were not This does not mean that they were not scared. These boys were not prepared for scared. These boys were not prepared for the horrors they were going to witness.the horrors they were going to witness.

• Everyone in America was directly affected Everyone in America was directly affected by the warby the war– Immediate family member servedImmediate family member served– Extended family member servedExtended family member served

WWII at Home and AbroadWWII at Home and Abroad