In the book A Separate Peace true virtue appears to represent the idea of being a good person and a true friend with nothing: expected in return except friendship. The Encarta World Dictionary lists virtue as "the quality of being morally good or righteous."
In the book Gene experiences jealousy over Finny who is popular and outgoing. Finny is able to charm the school professors while getting away with mischief. Gene is envious of Finny. Finny is unaware of the envy and considers Gene to be his best friend. He is always trying to get him involved in his activities.
Gene misinterprets Finny's actions that cause Gene to miss some studying time as Finny competing with him over grades. He becomes angry at him because he believes he is trying to sabotage his studies. As a result Gene joggles a tree branch causing Finny to be seriously injured.
The idea of true virtue is central to the novel. Gene learns that Finny had never wanted anything but his happiness and had never tried to sabotage him academically. By looking closer at Finny's noble and honest personality, one learns that he is indeed very virtuous and has become a victim of his own virtue.
Gene, on the other hand, tries to do the right thing and tell Finny what he ahd done. Finny can not hear it emotionally though. Gene is left holiing his own guilt and wondering if he has any virtue.
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