As World War II rages in Europe, a different kind of struggle affects the young students at an all-boys private boarding school. "A Separate Peace", by John Knowles, describes the emotional struggle in Devon during the summer and winter sessions of 1942. This conflict is best illustrated by Knowles' use of varied personalities in two of the main characters, Phineas and Brinker Hadley. Although they are the same age, the boys exhibit different personalities that match Devon's different moods during the summer and winter sessions. Phineas' laid-back, anti-war personality reflects the mood of the summer term, while the orderly, pro-war attitude found in Devon during the winter term matches Brinker's personality. Brinker and Phineas' opinions on the war, as well as their reactions to Phineas' fall, are shaped by their respective personalities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The author uses Brinker and Phineas to represent the contrasting attitudes in Devon during the summer and winter sessions. The winter session is characterized by the conservatism and pro-war attitude of professors and students. The pro-war attitude is manifested throughout the year through the curriculum's emphasis on physical preparation and mental agility for use in war. Brinker thrives in the orderly, militaristic setting of the Winter Session. "I liked Brinker despite his effectiveness at the Winter Session; almost everyone liked Brinker." Knowles uses the character of Brinker to illustrate the effectiveness of Devon's operations. Brinker's serious demeanor reflects the grim formality that the war creates in Devon. Unlike the winter session, the summer session lacks structure and order. Phineas' attitude is comparable to the carefree days of summer session. Summer “gypsy days” are relaxed and much less stressful than the regular school year. While remembering his summer in Devon at the start of the winter term, Gene says: as the sermon on that opening day exhorted us to do. The summer session is untouched by war and unmarred by preparations for the inevitable. The winter session transforms Devon into a strict institutional school that prepares students like Brinker for military service, while the summer brings the carefree innocence of students like Phineas to the school. Brinker and Phineas' contrasting views of the war in Europe reveal their personality differences. Brinker begins the school year believing that military service is both necessary and enjoyable. He encourages other students to enlist and often references his own plans to join the military. It was his persuasive skills that almost convinced Gene, Phineas's closest friend, to enlist at the start of his senior year. Brinker's views on military service and bravery are highlighted in the following moment: "Everyone in this place is either a conscription-avoiding Kraut or a...a..." The Contemptuous Force in his tone transformed the word into a curse, “a nat-u-realist!” He grabbed my arm agitatedly. "I'm giving it up, I'm going to enlist. Tomorrow." However, Brinker did not enlist during his senior year, but chose to join the Coast Guard after graduation. For most of the school year, Phineas believes that the old men "cooked up this fake war" to control the young adult population. Phineas's disbelief in the war is.