Percy Shelley "Gene's Truth"

During the first chapters of the novel the reader observes an exceedingly close tie between Finny and Gene. As Gene had said, “It was quite a compliment to me, as a matter a fact, to have such a person (Finny) choose me for his best friend.” However, as time elapses in the Devon School, various factors lead to Gene’s truth. Due to various happenings in the novel, the reader can deduce that Gene’s truth is synonymous to the dislike of Finny. The close friendship between Finny and Gene had morphed into a relationship far from healthy. There are various factors that hinder Gene’s close friendship with Finny and promote the decadence in their friendship. Primarily, Gene feels envy towards Finny. As Gene said, "(Finny) could get away with anything. I couldn't help envying him that a little, which was perfectly normal. There was no harm in envying even your best friend a little." Contrary to Gene’s thoughts, it is not acceptable or correct to envy your best friend. Envy usually carries a negative connotation, involving a feeling of discontent or hate. Furthermore, envying is one of the 10 commandments proving that envying your friend or anyone is wrong. Gene’s constant envy towards Finny’s social abilities was a cause for th Another reason that encouraged Gene’s truth was Finny’s constant bossing. During the friendship Gene was unable to express an opinion or do what he wanted. Instead, all of his decisions were influenced by Finny. This dislike towards Finny’s excessive leadership was seen when Gene says, “I never missed a meeting. At that time it would have never occurred to me to say, I don’t’ feel like it tonight, which was the plain truth every night. I was subject to the dictates of my mind, which gave me the maneuverability of a strait jacket.” This quotation shows Gene’s discontent towards his lack of autonomy. The word “truth” shows that Gene did not want to attend to the meetings but was forced to by Finny. Gene’s “maneuverability of a strait jacket” and his constant need to follow Finny is proof that he dislikes Finny.