A Separate Peace

by

John Knowles

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Dr. Stanpole Character Analysis

Dr. Stanpole is the main doctor at Devon’s infirmary. He is caring and kind, and pities Gene and his friends for the war-torn world they will soon have to face. When Finny breaks his leg for the second time, Dr. Stanpole thinks he can reset the bone without sending the boy to a real hospital, since it’s such a simple procedure. However, a small amount of Finny’s bone marrow leaks into his bloodstream and kills him, devastating Dr. Stanpole, who later tells Gene that Finny has died and that Gene will most likely have to get used this kind of devastating news, since his generation is headed into the war.
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Dr. Stanpole Character Timeline in A Separate Peace

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Stanpole appears in A Separate Peace. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
One morning, the school physician, Dr. Stanpole , informs Gene that Finny is well enough to receive visitors. Gene is hesitant at... (full context)
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...terrible, something that Finny is going to detest, but before he can say anything more, Dr. Stanpole enters and sends him out of the infirmary. The following day, Stanpole says that Finny... (full context)
Chapter 6
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...why he likes it. This is because he never wants to play sports again. When Dr. Stanpole said, “Sports are finished,” Gene felt as if the statement applied to him, not just... (full context)
Chapter 11
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Identity Theme Icon
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...soon heal and be twice as strong as it was before, though he mentions that Dr. Stanpole emphasized the importance not falling again. Still, he says he’s quite careful.  (full context)
Chapter 12
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...stairs. While Brinker makes sure that nobody moves Finny’s body, other boys run to get Dr. Stanpole and Mr. Latham, the wrestling coach who knows first aid. At one point, Brinker tells... (full context)
Identity Theme Icon
Change and Growing Up Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
When Dr. Stanpole arrives, he carefully places Finny in a chair and assembles a group to carry him... (full context)
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...empty dorm room. Instead, he sneaks into the infirmary and crouches beneath the window, hearing Dr. Stanpole and the nurse work on Finny. At one point, he thinks of how Mr. Latham... (full context)
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Identity Theme Icon
Change and Growing Up Theme Icon
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
...leads to the Devon stadium’s door. Returning to his room, he finds a note from Dr. Stanpole asking him to bring Finny’s clothing to the infirmary, so he prepares a suitcase for... (full context)
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Change and Growing Up Theme Icon
Friendship and Honesty Theme Icon
After Gene and Finny make up, Dr. Stanpole tells Gene to come back to the infirmary around 5 that evening. By then he... (full context)
War and Rivalry Theme Icon
Identity Theme Icon
Change and Growing Up Theme Icon
Optimism, Idealization, and Denial Theme Icon
Dr. Stanpole says that setting Finny’s bone should have been a simple procedure and, for that reason,... (full context)