P E A C E

Klemantyne Paffgen
9/9/08
Ms. Clapp
English AP Literature
“ ”
As the war in Iraq rages on, the talk of peace has increased over the past few years. The symbols are everywhere, people are flashing it left and right, and it’ has actually become another fad. When asked what the word peace meant, people generally responded with either “the feeling of tranquility”, or “the absence of war”. There are several written definitions for this word as there as symbols. Victory signs, white poppies, and doves carrying olive branches are well known symbols for peace, yet these all solely represent harmony between people. What the most widely recognized definition for peace is “a state or relation of peace, concord, and amity; not at strife or at variance.” I believe this, and that the word “peace” specifically refers to the state of relationships between people or within themselves.
The word peace was first used around the 11th century, in “the Littré” a dictionary by Émile Littré, a famous french lexicographer. Since war has been around since the beginning of time, peace was generally referred to as the “freedom of, or cessation of, war or hostilities; that condition of a nation or community in which it is not at war with another.” This was made official by “peace treaties” that came after most battles. Another meaning recalls “the recognition of authority or claims, and acceptance of the protection, of a king or lord.” These definitions all suggest restraint, or refraining from violence or revolution. Other meanings of “peace” suggest the “freedom from:
a. civil commotion and disorder; public order and security.”
b. disturbance or perturbation.”
c. quarrels or dissension between individuals.”
d. mental or spiritual disturbance or conflict arising from passion, guilt, etc.”
These are all referring to disharmony between people or within oneself. Another meaning of peace is simply the absence of noise or “quiet, silent, unmentioned” as well as “to become silence or still, to cease from speaking.” It can be used as a command to “ become still, or silent, to refrain from or cease speaking; to keep silence.” Another definition suggests that the word was previously written “pease” and was taken from “appease” which means “to pacify, usually at the sacrifice of principles.” Peace has always had a positive connotation, and it is usually what politicians promise, parents beg for, and happy retirement homes are described as. It is not only associated with the current war on “terror” but also the hippie counterculture and the movement of the 60's and 70's during the Vietnam war. Another association is the Olympics, which was a peaceful interim created for the purpose of good sportsmanship and competition regardless of warring neighbors. In modern lingo, the word has been tossed around so much that the reason why it is said so much has become lost in a “Myspace” pose. It is widely known in the hip hop culture as a farewell gesture, as it was many years ago when Jesus said it to his disciples (“peace be with you”) and how it is in languages today, like Arabic and Farsi (As-Sala-mu `Alaykum). It is a well-wishers polite greeting, and Jay-Z’s final word. The word “peace” has traveled many years through time and space, yet the meaning will always remain the harmony that lies within society or within individuals themselves.





Synonyms: agreement, amiability, amity, appeasement, armistice, ataraxia, calm, calmness, compromise, conciliation, concord, contentment, detente, ease, equanimity, fen, harmony, neutrality, nirvana, olive branch, order, pacification, pact, pax, pax vobiscum, placability, quiescence, quiet, quietness, reconciliation, repose, rest, serenity, tranquility, tranquilization, tranquillity, treaty, truce

Antonyms: agitation, conflict, disagreement, disharmony, distress, fighting, war, frustration, irritation, noise, upset, worry