"You were very good," said Finny good-humoredly, "once I shamed you into it."
"You didn't shame anybody into anything."
"Oh yes I did. I'm good for you that way. You have a tendency to back away from things otherwise."
"I never backed away from anything in my life!" I cried, my indignation at this charge naturally stronger because it was so true.
I like this part of the book, because this type of argument is familiar between teenage boys. When Finny makes the comment about Gene being shamed by him, it makes Gene sound cowardly and easily influenced. Most boys will do that to one another to look superior and earn the approval and admiration from others around. In Gene's case however, one can tell that he has no admiration and approval for finny, because Finny basically just insulted him. In my opinion, males are humorous in this fashion, because when studied, people around can tell that one is putting on a show, and quietly fighting to become the alpha dog.
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