A Separate Peace Lesson Plan

When Leper first decides to enlist, he explains his theory that “it's like a test, isn't it, and only the things and the people who’ve been evolving the right way survive.” Gene asks himself how this theory applies to Leper. How does it apply to Leper?

Leper couldn't stand the stress of the army. It got to him and broke him; he had not evolved to survive, and failed the "test," according to his own theory. Lead students to discuss their thoughts about this theory. Does it make sense to them? Or is it a fanciful and literary way of thinking about war, rather than anything useful for real life?

Gene says, when Leper enlists, that "I did not everything there was to know...