The novel A Separate Peace includes many important themes. The author, John Knowles, was able to make the book more realistic because of his personal experiences. Knowles, like the characters in the book attended a boarding school. Many of his dilemmas were similar to those of Gene and Finny. The boys were able to surmount the ins and outs of friendship, conformity, and growing up. Friendship is certainly a major theme throughout the novel. It is often based on a mutual need, and many people seek friends to fill breaches in there own lives. A perfect example is when Gene, who seems to be insecure about himself