Gene undergoes a major change at the end of the story when Finny dies. The entire story Gene is fighting a war within himself until the end when he defeats his enemy. He battles jealousy and guilt that overruns his life. Gene feels especially trapped by it after the accident in the tree with Finny. Everything Gene does is never pure. He always has a hidden motivation which is usually his guilt. Gene’s devotion to Finny is not out of friendship, but out of guilt. I questioned many times in the story whether or not Finny and Gene would be close friends if the accident never happened. At the end when Finny breaks his leg for the second time, Finny forgives Gene and they laugh it off. For the last few moments of their friendship, it is pure. There is no ulterior motives motivating their friendship. At Finny’s funeral, Gene felt like it is his own funeral for he has defeated his enemy when Finny forgave him and the enemy died with Finny. Although funerals mean death, it is also Gene’s rebirth into a new person. Gene feels at peace within himself and has adopted many of Finny’s ways like never seeing anybody as the enemy. Gene’s transformation leaves him happy and at peace.