Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe

By, Melvin Shazwan

About the author

Albert Chin al m g Achebe. The son of devout Christian parents, Isaiah Okafo Achebe and Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam. Born and raised in Ogidi, a town in eastern Nigeria. Considered as one of the founding fathers of African Literature and the winner of countless honours and awards. He left Nigeria to teach when the country was put under military rule. While working as a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he gave a contentious chancellor s lecture titled Racism in Conrad s Heart of Darkness , later on published in his collection of essays Hopes and Impediments (1988). Notable works: The African Trilogy : Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, A Man of the People, and Anthills of the Savannah.

Education: 1936 Entered St. Philips Central school. He is the student with the best handwriting and reading skills in his class. 1944 Sat entrance exams for and was accepted at both the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha and Government College, Umuahia. 1948 In preparation for independence, Nigeria s 1st university opened, known as University College (now the University of Ibadan). He is given scholarship to study medicine, but then changed to English, history, and theology.

Plot
Exposition:
Civil Peace starts off in eastern Nigeria after the civil war has ended. The protagonist able to keep his bike and turns it into a taxi to make money. Jonathan made 115 pounds in two weeks time.

Plot
Rising action:
He travels to Enugu to search for his home. His home is still standing even though the other structures around it are demolished. He spends his money to repair his house. He moves his family back in. The entire family works hard to earn money an d rebuild their lives.

Plot
Climax:
A large group of robbers show up at his house demanding 100 pounds the night after Jonathan gets an egg rasher (a butchered pronunciation of the Latin ex gratia).

Plot
Falling action:
Jonathan replies that he only have 20 pounds. The robbers break in and take the 20 pounds anyways.

Plot
Resolution:
After the robbers take the money, life goes on as usual for Jonathan because nothing puzzles God, which means that the robbery has a greater meaning than how it seemed in God s eyes.

Character/s
Main character: Jonathan Iwegbu
Responsible
He work hard to support his family financial. (pg.53 para 1)

Optimistic
He exhibits a happy tone in the face of death.

Intelligent
He puts his money in his trouser pocket so that he will not spend it. (pg. 54 para3)

Protective
He tries to tolerate with the thieves.

Minor characters: Jonathan s wife and his children. The robbers

Setting
Place -Enugu - His little house, Ogui Overside. Time
During the end of the Civil war. (1970)

Themes
The effect of war. The crime rate is higher and dangerous. Responsibilities towards the family. Jonathan becomes very responsible to get money to feed his family. He defends his family from thieves.

Language and Style

Simile -Maria and the children sobbed in audibly like lost souls. -...his throat felt like sand-paper. Spelling of the words are not in standard English. - make you hopen de door. (local)

Thank you...