I think it’s clear as readers what the true motivation is behind Phineas’ belief, and we are proven correct later in the novel, but this revelation comes as a surprise to Gene.
Although he knows and believes in the reality of the war, Gene allows Phineas to continue the belief that it is all an elaborate lie. This in particular stood out to me because it’s clear how blind Gene’s loyalty is to Phineas, and how strong his determination is to prove their friendship.
For instance, Gene trains diligently for the 1944 Olympics at Phineas’s insistence, as Finny believes the war is a hoax. His need to prove his loyalty leads Gene to go along with Phineas’s wildest requests. Rather than Gene’s obedience coming from his love for Phineas, it derives from fear. Gene and Phineas’ friendship survives the events by the river, but it’s clear that the power dynamics, though not shifted, have changed. The darkness is so subtle that you almost can’t tell it’s there. I had such a good time reading this book and believe it’s an American classic for a reason. In a clouded moment of jealousy and frustration, Gene makes a decision that betrays his friendship with Phineas and burdens him with a secret guilt that he is forced to carry. He’s charming, athletic, and universally loved, all things Gene is not, and Gene can seldom resist him. Finny, the undisputed leader of their duo, holds a strong influence over Gene. That summer Gene and his best friend Phineas become closer than ever. The story begins with Gene, a man in his thirties reflecting on his time at a New Hampshire all-boys boarding school in the midst of World War II, seeking forgiveness for the role he played in the tragic event that occurred the summer before his senior year. A friend who knows how much I enjoy dark academia recommended me this book, and I was sold instantly.
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