Summary

It is a story set in Nigeria that follows Jonathan Iwegbu's life after the Nigerian Civil War. The story follows Iwegbu's struggles to reconstruct his life and the lives of his family in the aftermath of the war. Achebe tackles themes of persistence, tenacity, and optimism in the face of adversity via Jonathan Iwegbu. Iwegbu's reluctance to succumb to despair, his determination to reconstruct his life, and his optimism for a brighter future all contribute to demonstrate Achebe's faith in the victory of the human spirit over adversity.

Jonathan lwegbu, the protagonist of this narrative, is a positive person. Jonathan Iwegbu, the main character, believed himself extremely fortunate. The marvel in his life was that he had emerged from the conflict with five priceless blessings. He, Maria, and three of their four children were still living. In his household, all five he were protected. As a bonus, the next miracle in his life was his old bicycle, which he restored after the war. As miracles occurred happening in his life, he used to exclaim a statement in awe "Nothing confuses God". During the war, he nearly lost his bicycle when an army commander tried to take it. Jonathan deduced from the officer's "certain lack of grasp and firmness in his demeanor" that the officer may accept a bribe in return for the bicycle. He salvaged his bicycle and gave the police two pounds. Following that, he buried his bicycle. He began using his bicycle as a taxi after removing it off the ground. He made £115 in two weeks from his taxi business.

Jonathan then went to the capital city of Enugu in quest of his residence. He was startled and happy to see that his house was still intact, despite the fact that numerous surrounding structures had been turned to a pile of rubble by the battle. He surveyed his home and determined that it need some renovations. As a result, Jonathan gathered all accessible materials: zinc, wood, and cardboard. To finish the housekeeping, he hired a carpenter. He returned his family members home when the repair was completed. Following their settlement, the entire family worked hard to gain money and rebuild their lives. Maria baked Akara balls to sell in the neighborhood as the children collected mangoes. Before the war, Jonathan worked in the mines. After he realized he couldn't go back to work as a coal miner, Jonathan built a bar for the troops that he operated out of his house. Jonathan thanked God for his family members, a home, and a job.

Jonathan's family succeeded well despite adversity, and they even received a government bonus. In compensation for the Biafran money Nigerians gave over to the government's coffers, the administration began handing out egg rashers—payments of twenty pounds. Jonathan left the workplace with cash in his pocket. On his way home, he was concerned about the robbers. Jonathan got restless at home that evening and couldn't sleep until late at night. Finally, as he was sleeping, he was woken by a loud banging on the front door. He called out to see who was knocking, and the robbers responded.

Jonathan's family requested assistance from the police and neighbors, but no one responded. They eventually stopped calling. The robbers then yelled, echoing the family's cries for aid. Jonathan and his family were terrified. Jonathan was moaning while the children and Maria cried. The leader of the thieves came out again, mockingly asking whether he should summon soldiers for assistance, but Jonathan told him not to. The thief's commander wanted £100. They told Jonathan not to enter his home. Jonathan informed them of his true state. A salvo of automatic rifle fire pierced the air as the speaker faded. Maria and the children began weeping once again. The commander instructed them not to cry. They only wanted money and then they would leave. Jonathan told them about the money he obtained from the egg rasher. He even told them he didn't have £100. He boasted about having a total of 20 pounds in his home. The robbers agreed to take the money. Several of the criminals murmured that he had more money and that they should go inside and check, but the commander commanded them to stop talking. Jonathan proceeded to fetch the twenty pounds from his locked box to hand them to the robbers. After taking the money from Jonathan via the window, the burglars fled.

The next morning, the neighbors came over to console Jonathan, but his family was not present. They were at work for the day. Jonathan told his admirers that the loss of 20 pounds was insignificant; he didn't have the egg-rasher money the week before, and he didn't want to rely on it. Money flowed readily through his hands, as did many other things throughout the conflict.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

a. Why did Jonathan think of himself as 'extraordinarily lucky'?

He considers himself exceptionally fortunate because he and his family had he over their shoulders. He also had his old bicycle and remains of his house.

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

Lives of himself, his wife and his children’s, good condition of his bicycle, his house are the five blessings for which Mr. Iwegbu is grateful.

c. Why did Jonathan mistrust the officer who wanted to take his bicycle? What does this tell you about the situation in Nigeria?

He did not trust the authenticity of the officer because his clothes were not fitting him, his canvas was torn and his showed rude behavior. Also, that officer easily accepted the bribe.

d. What visitors might be at the door? Are Jonathan and his wife completely surprised? Explain.

During the night, in a situation where each and everyone’s main motive is survival, the visitors at the door might be robbers or thieves. No, Jonathan and his wife were not surprised because the situation in Nigeria at that time was pitiful but they were frightened instead because people could even murder another person to survive the day.

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?

The thieves had gun and they were in group. This made them powerful than other people which is why no one wanted to risk their life for their neighbor. So they did not come for rescue of Jonathan’s family when the thieves pounded on Jonathan’s door.

The thieves had the courage to call for the police because they knew police would not come because police were more concerned about bigger problems in the country where civil war had just ended.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

a. What does Jonathan mean by his expression “Nothing puzzles God”? What does this expression reveal about his character? Explain by citing details from the story.

The meaning of this expression is deep. It means that God knows past, present and the future. Therefore, whatever good or bad thing is happening to the world and himself, Jonathan considers that God has known that already. Recurring assertion of this expression shows that Jonathan is a optimist, and a believer in the plans of God. For example, he uses this expression when he finds his bicycle and the house still standing and when he is robbed off his egg rasher money.

b. How does Jonathan change as he experiences the conflicts in his life? Explain.

Jonathan is an optimistic person and he has a very good presence of mind. Therefore, he does what is necessary at the moment than lamenting over what he lost. This positivity comes from his belief on God that whatever is happening to him is God’s plans.

c. Read the extract and answer the questions below.

“To God who made me; if you come inside and find one hundred pounds, take it and shoot me and shoot my wife and children. I swear to God. The only money I have in this life is this twenty pounds egg-rasher they gave me today ...”

i. Who is the speaker?

Jonathan Iwegbu.

ii. Who is the speaker talking to?

Thief leader.

iii. Who does “they” refer to?

Government officials.

d. Nigerian English has words like soja 'soldier' and katakata 'confusion', 'trouble' derived apparently from English words but transformed by native languages' phonologies. What does the author’s use of dialect here add to the story?

Addition of these vernaculars helps the readers experience Nigeria just by reading the story. It makes the story more vibrant and realistic to the readers. It makes the story alive.

e. Why do you think the thieves who come to rob Jonathan speak English with a heavier African accent than Jonathan does?

I think that because they may have left to fight in the war without completing their education and they only had companionship of African people in villages, camps and jungle. However, Jonathan was a former coal miner where he may have learned to speak English because his bosses were British.

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.

I believe that this title is suitable for the story because the writer wants to show the bad outcome of war where even after the war, people suffer and objective of the war is not achieved immediately. Since this story wants to show the irony between the big dreams and reality, civil peace is the most suitable title.

REFERENCE BEYOND THE CONTEXT

a. How would you describe the civil peace in Nigeria?

Civil peace in Nigeria is like in any other country that has experienced any civil war. All the resources of the country are used to either fund the war or suppress the war. Therefore, death, chaos, insufficiency of housings and food, lack of medical care and crime are the immediate outcome of war which also happened in Nigeria. Therefore, I consider it normal.

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 also think like Jonathan that Nothing puzzles God. Jonathan is a no one in the country where everything is destroyed such as health of people, jobs, house and many more. Being a simple powerless citizen, I could not do anything brave. Therefore, I would not have any option than being optimistic and carrying on with the situation by making the best of it.

c. Sketch the character of Jonathan Iwegbu.

He is a former soldier who plays an important role in the narrative. He is a diligent and humble guy who is committed to providing for his family, even when circumstances are bad. He is a law-abiding citizen who is honest and decent. He is not a flawless guy, though, because he has a difficult temper that might lead to disagreements with his family. Despite this, he is a kind father and husband who is always seeking for ways to improve his family's and community's lives. He is a beneficial influence in his community because he is determined, strong-willed, and resilient.