Re-read the last paragraph on the bottom of 136 and on to 137. Paraphrase what Gene is saying and interpret the usage of “separate peace.” What is a “separate peace”? Why is included here? What is it’s significance?
Gene says that that day, it wasn’t the alcohol of the cider that made him the champion, or that made him run and if asked, jump into the Naguamsett river; it wasn’t the cider that made him so exuberant, but the fact that right then, even if for just a moment, they had escaped from the war and obtained what Gene refers to as a “separate peace.” “It wasn’t the cider which made me surpass myself, it was this liberation we had torn from the gray encroachments of 1943, the escape we had concocted, this afternoon of momentary, illusory, special and separate peace” (Knowles 136-137). When Gene refers to a Separate Peace, he is referring to all of the participants in the carnival, having separated themselves from the dismal mood and the terrors of the war and having obtained a special peace and joy nearly impossible to find during the war. This peace, even though during the war, was a “separate” peace because this peace separated them completely from the war, and for probably one of the first times in a while, they managed to put the war completely out of their minds, without anything to worry about at that moment, something probably few managed to achieve during the war. This is significant as during WWII, it would have been difficult for anyone to be completely worry free and have a complete peace of mind as at any moment a family member or friend could die, or you could be drafted right into the war. For these kids, at a boarding school in New Hampshire to achieve that, would truly be a significant moment in all of their lives.
JJ Ma
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