Writing Peace out of Conflict: Nancy Cunard, Carole Satyamurti, Frank McGuinness

Abstract

In recent years, and more especially since 9/11, the way in which wars are carried out, spoken of, justified and (re)presented has changed significantly. Language plays a crucial role in the construction and consolidation of the rhetoric of war as exemplified by the concept of a ‘just war’ and the phrase ‘War of Words’. Yet, the implications of language use in peace-making processes remain somehow largely underestimated or undervalued, when recognised. Faced with political and cultural intransigence, literature can create models for a co-operative culture enabling both writers and readers to contribute to the development of alternative peace discourses. Accordingly, this paper proposes a reading of pacifist works by Nancy Cunard, Carole Satyamurti and Frank McGuinness. Written out of conflict, and despite their different historical and cultural milieux, these texts demonstrate the power of the creative word to promote a new culture of peace based on intercultural dialogue and encounters.

DOI: 10.17456/SIMPLE-30

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