Sometimes I think the problem with men is that we're not women. We almost never see women fighting. No, it's a guy thing, a manly thing that also raises troubling questions about what it means to be a man these days. Becoming a man involves becoming aware of your responsibilities in life. Becoming a man comes when you take control of your responsibilities in life, for yourself and for others. If you live at home and accept money, food, or anything else from your parents, you have no earthly idea of ​​what it takes or means to become a man. The day we realize that electricity is very expensive, and that leaving the light on when we leave the house is very expensive, then we can somewhat show the slow passage to the corner of virility. The day you can solve your own problems without having to call someone for help or whine to your parents, you have become a man. In "A Separate Peace", many characteristics of becoming a man can be seen. For example, as the novel progresses, Gene's maturity also evolves. Gene is first seen in the novel as a boy, not yet born by nature, but as we delve deeper into the novel we see a change; Gene embarks on a life change that all men go through once in their lives. Gene begins to see his life and the lives of others from a completely new point of view, as if it were a newer perspective. In chapters two and three, Gene develops pure lust for Finny and recognizes it as the truth. He is extremely envious of the methods Finny uses to escape his unusual actions and popularity. He sinks into a pool of self-confidence, constantly telling himself that having a best friend like Finny is a reward and that he should see it as an accomplishment. However, this transparent apology of Gene's maturity at this point, depicts a very young, foolish and selfish young man. "It was hypnotism. I was beginning to see that Phineas could do anything. I couldn't help but envy him a little, which was completely normal." (Knowles p. 25) Here we see Gene as a simply confused young man. who does not know the true value of friendship and cannot refuse a feeling of envy towards his so-called "best friend".