Curated set · answers marked
What causes Finny to fall from the tree at the Devon School, resulting in his broken leg?
Rationale
In a crucial moment of the novel, Gene impulsively jounces — or bounces — the tree limb just as Finny is about to jump, leading to Finny losing his balance and falling to the bank below. This act of betrayal, whether fully intentional or not, ignites the main conflict and the guilt that follows Gene for the rest of the story.
At the Devon School, Gene Forrester's complex friendship with Finny takes a dark turn at a significant tree. What happens to Finny at the tree next to the Devon River?
Rationale
Gene intentionally (or perhaps subconsciously) jounces the branch of the tree, causing Finny to fall and break his leg. This act of betrayal serves as the novel's central moral crisis and marks the end of Finny's athletic career, propelling the rest of the story forward.
What action does Gene Forrester take that results in Finny falling from the tree and breaking his leg?
Rationale
In Chapter 4, Gene and Finny climb the tree together to perform their "double jump." Just before they jump, Gene bends his knees — jouncing the limb — which causes Finny to lose his balance and fall to the ground below, resulting in a broken leg. This crucial moment of ambiguous betrayal drives the central conflict of the novel.