Without reading the book, the title A Separate Peace hints that there will be some form of peace that is isolated and unique from the rest of the world. This is achieved at the Devon School. Outside of the school, the war rages on, but within Devon the war seems fictional. The war is distant and though the boys have seen news reels that show fighting no one can imagine witnessing that fighting in person.

Focusing on Gene, his separate peace goes beyond the war. Gene invests himself in Phineas, an athletic rule-breaker. Though they seem opposites, Gene becomes an extension of Finny. As they’re friends, it seems strange that Gene hurts Finny, but when he does he feels relieved and peaceful. Gene sees Finny as his friend and enemy. As well, while Finny is gone recovering, Gene feels a peace fall over Devon and he tries on Finny’s clothes, feeling complete when he does. Once Finny returns, he seems to be defeated as if Gene has won a silent war over him. Gene takes on Finny’s desires and dreams as if they share one life.

Gene’s separate peace is achieved when Finny dies. The competitiveness Gene felt can be put to rest since it was as a part of himself died with Finny. His guilt also went with Finny and Gene can finally become his own person.