Some people in society judge people who belong to a minority negatively. For many affected people it is impossible to completely escape this unwanted prejudice and unfair treatment. In The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst and A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene and Doodle manage to detach themselves from society's cruel interpretation of unique individuals. Doodle, paralyzed since birth, retreats to Old Woman Swamp. The isolated swamp is the only place where he and his brother can forget the rest of society and consider themselves equal, but it ends up leading to Doodle's death. Gene retreats from the death and destruction that accompanies the ongoing war by living in the peaceful Devon School. Gene later experiences disastrous events because he hides from prejudice. Doodle and Gene escape society's constant warfare and inequality in Old Woman Swamp and Devon School respectively, but these havens ultimately lead to their downfall. In Old Woman Swamp, society is left behind by Doodle and his brother, and they achieve a feeling of equality. Doodle's brother always wants to integrate into society; as a result, he is constantly embarrassed by his disabled brother. Doodle's brother considers Doodle "no good" at first glance, but when the boys go to Old Woman Swamp, he treats Doodle almost as an equal (Hurst 1). The prejudices imposed on Doodle due to his disabilities fade away, and Doodle's brother no longer needs to act like a superior to fit in with other people. Doodle's brother is not ashamed of Doodle when they are alone; therefore, this is the only time he truly sees Doodle for what he is, a human being. This change in Doodle's brother makes Doodle feel welcome in the swamp, and even though he still knows his brother... middle of paper... he is sorry and horrified by how he treated Finny. Gene and Both Doodles seek an escape from society's prejudices in Old Woman Swamp and Devon School, but these settings instead lead to catastrophe for both people. Doodle feels welcome at Old Woman Swamp, where he is unaffected by the judgment of people in society, and travels there with his brother. In the swamp he is judged even more severely by his brother, and is the cause of his death. Gene uses the Devon School as a refuge from the competitive veterans who disapprove of his every decision. This stay allows him to discover that he can be as prejudiced as the people who judge him. Facing society's judgment is difficult for many people who feel inferior. Successfully escaping these judgments is an even more difficult task and it only takes one person to destroy the refuge forever..