Civil Peace

Chinua Achebe
Author: Chinua Achebe was born in 1930 AD and died in 2013 AD. He was born in Igbo Village of Ogidi
in South Eastern Nigeria. He was a novelist, poet, professor and critic. He attended the University of
Ibadan where he studied English, history and theology (the study of the nature of God and religious
belief.). He wrote about cultural and political turmoil (turbulence, disorder) of Nigeria, from colony to
post colony and through civil war and beyond.
Setting: The setting of the story is Enugu, the former capital city of Biafra ( Eastern Nigeria ) in the
aftermath(the consequences or after-effects of a significant unpleasant event.) of Nigerian Civil War.
Narration: Third person
Characters: Jonathan Iwegbo, Maria Iwegbo, Thief Leader, Thief Chorus, Robbery victim, The army
officer
i.Protagonist: Jonathan Iwegbo
ii.Thieves: antagonist
Themes:
1. Untrustworthy authority: The government authority is irresponsible. The military officer
who threatened to commandeer(seize) his bicycle and accepted the bribe. The government
owned Coal Corporation remains closed even after the peace in Nigeria.
2. The Power of positive thinking: Jonathan Iwegbo is optimistic about future despite the
immeasurable losses. He has managed post war landscape(aspect).
3. The value of hard work: There is strong work ethic(moral principle). The Iwegbo family
works consistently to improve livelihood. Jonathan runs a bar for soldiers, starts taxi service,
his wife and Children sell breakfast and mangoes.
4. Inherent violence in unstable societies: There is robbery as the violence of the war.
5. War: war is everywhere which has devastated the country’s infrastructures and
economy.
 6. The power of God: God is invoked(pray to) regularly throughout the story. Jonathan’s
religious belief is reflected in the refrain(repeated line) ‘ Nothing Puzzles God”.
7. Damaging effects of colonialism : It deals with European legalism(practice of following
law) in Africa. Its reference is made to British products like biro pens. It also shows a
society struggling with long lasting effects of British colonialism and imperialism.
What is the story about?
“Civil Peace” is a short story by Chinua Achebe. It is set in Nigeria just after the Civil

War.The main character, Jonathan Iwegbu , survives the war and is

grateful for what he has left- his family and a small amount of money. The story revolves
around his efforts to rebuilt his life and stay positive despite the challenges. It explores
theme of resilience(The capacity to recover quickly for difficulties), optimism and the
impact of war on individuals and society.
Summary:
The main character Jonathan Iwegbo considered himself extraordinarily lucky. The miracle in
his life was that he had come out of the war with five inestimable(too great) blessings. He, his wife,
Maria, and three of their four children were alive. All of the five heads were safe in his family. The next
miracle in his life as a bonus was his old bicycle which he got in fine condition after the war. When
miracles took place in his life, he used to utter a phrase in wonder "Nothing puzzles God". He almost
lost his bicycle during the war, when an army officer attempted to commandeer it. Sensing a "certain
lack of grip and firmness in his manner," Jonathan guessed that the officer might be bribed in exchange
for the bicycle. He saved his bicycle providing 2 pounds to the officer. After that, he buried his bicycle.
After taking his bicycle out of the ground, started using his bicycle as a taxi. Within two weeks, he
earned £115 through his taxi service.
Jonathan then travelled to Enugu , the capital city, in search of his house. He became

quite surprised and delighted to find his house still standing, even though some nearby structures were
reduced to a pile of rubble(remains, ruins) from the war. He examined his house and concluded that his
house needed some repairs. So Jonathan immediately collected available materials: zinc, wood, and
cardboard. He hired a carpenter to complete the housework.
After the completion of the repair, he moved his family members back home. After their
settlement, the entire family members worked hard to earn money and restore their lives. The children
picked mangoes and Maria made Akara balls to sell in the neighbourhood. Jonathan used to
work in the mines before the war. But when he realized that he couldn't regain his job as a coal miner,
Jonathan opened up a bar for the soldiers, which he ran out of his home. Jonathan was thankful to God
that he had family members, a home and a job.
Facing a lot of hardships, Jonathan's family did well, and then they even got a bonus from the

government. The government started handing out egg rashers (as a favour) payments of
twenty pounds in exchange for the Biafran money Nigerians turned over to the government's treasury.
Jonathan left office with his money in his pocket. He was quite worried about the thieves on his way
home. At home that evening, Jonathan became restless and couldn't get to sleep late at night. Finally,
when he slept, he was awakened by a violent knock on the front door. He called out to ask who is
knocking, and the reply came from the thieves.
Jonathan's family called out for help from the police and the neighbours but no one came
there to help them. Eventually, they stopped calling. The thieves called out then, repeating the families
pleas(appeal) for help. Jonathan and his family were in terror. The children and Maria were crying,
Jonathan was groaning(whimpering). The leader of the thieves spoke again, mockingly asking if he
should call soldiers for help, but Jonathan said not to do so. The leader of the thieves demanded £100.
They warned Jonathan to enter inside his house. Jonathan related his real condition to them. The voice
trailed off(become quiter ), and a volley(a number of bullet) of automatic rifle fire burst through the air.
Maria and the children started crying again. The leader told them not to cry. They just wanted some
money and then they would go away. Jonathan informed them about the money which he had got from
the egg rasher. He even informed them that he didn't have £100. He swore about having a total
amount of 20 pounds in his house. The thieves agreed to accept that money. Some of the thieves
mumbled that he had more money and they should move inside and look, the leader told them to shut
up. Jonathan went to get the twenty pounds out of his locked box to give to the thieves. The thieves
moved away from there after receiving the amount from Jonathan through the window. The next
morning, the neighbours came over to commiserate(offer sympathy) with Jonathan, but his family
wasn't at home. They were at their day's work. Jonathan told his sympathizers that the loss of 20
pounds is nothing; the week before he did not have the egg-rasher money, and he didn't want to
depend on it. The money went on easily from his hands, as did many other things in the war.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. Why did Jonathan think of himself as 'extraordinarily lucky'?
Answer: Jonathan thought of himself as 'extraordinarily lucky' because he survived the Civil War with
his wife and three children.

b. What are the ‘five blessings’ for which Jonathan is grateful?

Answer: The ‘five blessings’ for which Jonathan is grateful are his head, his wife Maria's head and the
heads of three out of their four children.
c. Why did Jonathan mistrust the officer who wanted to take his bicycle? What does this tell you
about the situation in Nigeria?
Answer: Jonathan mistrusted the officer who wanted to take his bicycle because of his certain lack of
grip(effective control) and firmness in his manner. He saved his bicycle by giving two pounds to the
officer. It reveals corruption, Untrustworthy government authority and dishonesty prevailed in the
Nigerian society as effect of the civil war.
d. What visitors might be at the door? Are Jonathan and his wife completely surprised? Explain.
Answer: The visitors might be the thieves at the door. Yes, He and his family shout for help but nobody
comes. The leader demands 100 pounds. Jonathan says that he doesn't have that much money. All he
has is 20 pounds that he receives at the treasury. The leader decides to accept the amount. Jonathan
gives it to him, and thieves go away.
e. Why does no one in the neighbourhood respond when the thieves pound on Jonathan’s door? Why
do the thieves call for the police?
Answer: No one in the neighbourhood responds when the thieves pound on(hit) Jonathan’s door
because they are scared of the thieves. The neighbours might have felt that they could also be robbed
off. They call for the police to make fun of Jonathan and his family. Also, they tease them.
Reference to the context:
a. What does Jonathan mean by his expression “Nothing puzzles God”? What does this expression
reveal about his character? Explain”, Jonathan's details from the story.
➜ In the story "Civil Peace”, Jonathan uses this expression "Nothing puzzles God" whenever something
miraculous happens with him. He uses this line when he gets his bicycle back in a fine condition out of
the ground. Next, He uses it when he finds his house still standing after the war.
By "Nothing puzzles God”, he means that anything can happen but almighty God, being
omniscient(knowing everything), is not surprised and even possible by anything. He means to say that
God knows each and everything. The last time he uses it at the end of the story after his family is
robbed of the ex- gratia( gifted money). This expression reveals that he is quite an optimistic person
who the belief of Almighty God. He feels too delighted to get miracles in his life. This expression also
reveals that he is a good person who enjoys everything he has but never laments on his losses.
Therefore, His character was optimistic and hopeful nature to believe in God and thinks that there will
be good for tomorrow.
b. How does Jonathan change as he experiences the conflicts in his life? Explain.
➜ Jonathan is a hardworking person who believes in his hard labour as well as God the most. He is
quite an optimistic person who never loses his hope. He has experienced many conflicts in his life. He
has lost his youngest child during the war but he believes himself lucky to get 5
inestimable(immeasurable) blessings. Jonathan keeps on doing his hard labour for welfare of his family
keeping faith or belief on God. He changes according to the demands of the time and his own family
needs.
c. Read the extract and answer the questions below.
“TO God who made me;…………………………………………………………………..
i. Who is the speaker?
➜ The speaker was Jonathon.
ii. Who is the speaker talking to?
➜ The speaker is talking to the thieves or robbers.
iii. Who does “they” refer to?
➜ "They" refers to the government.
d.What does the author’s use of dialect here add to the story?
➜ Nigerian English has words like Soja "soldier" and katakata "confusion", "trouble" delivered
apparently from English words but transformed by Native language phonologies. The author added
dialects here in the story because of the following points:
i. To focus on the native language;
ii. To promote the dialects.
iii. To know the status of people in Nigeria.
iv. To promote the nationality.
e. Why do you think the thieves who come to rob Jonathan speak English with a heavier African
accent than Jonathan does?
➜ I think the thieves who came to rob Jonathan speak English with a heavier African accent then
Jonathan because of the following points:
i. To show that they were (white) American.
 ii. To show that they were powerful.
iii. To be believed by the Africans people that they know the English language.
iv. To show that they were superior and strong enough.
f. The title of the story "Civil Peace" itself is ironical as there is little to differentiate ‘civil peace’ from
‘civil war’. Do you think that the title of this story is appropriate, or would “Civil War” have been a
better title? Explain.
➜ Yes, the story is ironical. This title of this story is inappropriate because of the following reasons:
i. The people living in Nigeria could not trust the government public servant, a police officer as he was
corrupt a lot.
ii. Life of the people did not change. There was difficult to join hands in mouth. Most of the people
were living under the poverty line.
iii. After the ending of the War in Nigeria, Robbery did not stop or was not controlled by the
government. So, the title of this story "Civil War" would be better.
Reference beyond the text
a. How would you describe the civil peace in Nigeria?
➜ The condition of the Civil peace in Nigeria wasn't good. After the war, the time of the Civil peace was
the time of the resettlement. There was nothing new for the people. People had to face various
problems during that time. The government's law during that time was not good. There were many
risks in people's life. Thieves used to loot and beat people without having any fear of law. Though the
civil piece prevailed there, there was anarchy everywhere.
b. What kind of attitude towards life do you think you would have if your situation was similar to that
of Jonathan’s?
➜ I would be optimist, hopeful and ready to face all the challenges. I would be helpful to every people.
I would follow the right path, take the right decision, believe in God and many more...
c. Draw the character sketch of Jonathan Iwegbu.
➜ Jonathan is quite an optimistic person who has been faith in God. He always utters a line in the
name of god saying that "Nothing puzzles God". He becomes quite delighted to find miracles in his life.
He never lives in disparity (variance). He is a hardworking person who thinks positively for everyone. He
loves his family members much. At the time of hardship, he tries to save his family first. During the time
of civil peace, he works so hard to restore his life and his family. His wife and his kids also work so hard
to support him. He really enjoys his present, giving value to his relative as well as his belongings. He
never regrets his loss.
He starts the taxi service, repairs his house, opens a bar for soldiers to support his family. As an
optimistic person, he doesn't regret losing his 20 Pounds which he had got as a favour from the
government. Hence, Jonathan Iwegbu was the protagonist, central character of the story. He was an ex-
miner who was very laborious, and resourceful. He was also the responsible head of the family to
inspire his family with optimism.