In The story "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles, a minor but vital character, Leper, reflects the impact of war on a fragile, innocent, young man. As he leaves for the war, the boys at Devon look to him as a heroic figure. Then the story takes a disappointing twist, Leper returns and brings a part of the war home with him. Youth and adolescence, interrupted and destroyed, his mind, incapable of handling and accepting …showed first 75 words of 525 total…

…showed last 75 words of 525 total…sinister side of Gene is demolished. Gene affirmed about Finny's funeral, "I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral." Even though Leper let out a wanting lie, he brought in a much needed truth. A fundamental character in A Separate Peace, Leper carried a momentous theme to the novel. He brings in a vital view of the war and significant "truths". Without leper the novel would not have as much meaning.