Blog Post 11: Is Finny's fall, and ultimately his death, something you can blame on Gene? Why or why not? If he is not to blame, then who is?

I do not believe that you can blame Finny's second fall and death on Gene. I actually believe it was Brinker's fault. Gene did not push him, Finny "plunged out the doors" and went down the stairs himself (Knowles 177). If it is anyones fault it is Brinker's. Gene and Finny had come to an understanding that they were still going to be friends, even though both of them knew that Gene had jounced the limb. If Brinker hadn't constantly been bugging Gene about admitting to it, Finny never would have been out in in the first place, therefore Finny wouldn't have fallen down the stairs. "'We're taking you out' he said flatly" (Knowles 165). "His friends half-lifted us half roughly, and we were hustled down the stairs" (Knowles 165). This shows how obnoxious Brinker was. He would not let Gene and Finny rest in their room. Brinker forced them to go to the trial, because he was so obsessed with having Gene admit to breaking Finny's leg the first time. Then on page 176 Brinker keeps eagerly questioning Leper about what happened on the day of the tree accident. He bugged Leper so much that Finny said "'I don't care…I just don't care. Never mind, ' and he started across the marble floor toward the doors" (Knowles 176-177). Not only did Brinker force Finny to come, but he pushed him so hard that he left the trial room and then fell down the stairs. I believe it was Brinkers fault that Finny fell for the second time and died.
-Carly Newell