Summary and Exercise of the story Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe || Grade 11, Compulsory English, Literature

 

Summary and Exercise of the story Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe || Grade 11, Compulsory English, Literature

Civil Peace

 

About the writer: Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is widely regarded as one of the most important African writers of the 20th century. He was born on November 16, 1930, in the town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, and died on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Achebe's most famous work is his debut novel, "Things Fall Apart" (1958), which has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into over 50 languages. The novel tells the story of Okonkwo, a warrior and leader in the Igbo tribe of Nigeria, and explores the effects of British colonialism on African society. Achebe's other notable works include "No Longer at Ease" (1960), "Arrow of God" (1964), and "A Man of the People" (1966). He also wrote poetry, essays, and children's books, and was a vocal critic of colonialism and racism in Africa and around the world. In addition to his writing, Achebe was a professor of English at various universities in Nigeria and the United States, and was a sought-after speaker and commentator on African literature and culture. He received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Man Booker International Prize, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, and the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.

 

Context: Nigerian Civil War

The Nigerian Civil War was a conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970, fought between the Nigerian government and the secessionist state of Biafra. Biafra was largely made up of the Igbo people, who were the dominant ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria. The war was sparked by a number of political and economic factors, including tensions between the central government and the Igbo people, who felt marginalized and oppressed. Biafra declared its independence in May 1967, and the Nigerian government responded by launching a military campaign to reunify the country. The war was marked by widespread violence and human rights abuses, including massacres of civilians and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The conflict ended in January 1970, when Biafra surrendered and was reintegrated into Nigeria. The exact death toll of the war is not known, but it is estimated that between one and three million people, mostly civilians, died as a result of the conflict and the subsequent famine. The war also had a lasting impact on Nigerian society and politics, and its legacy is still felt today.

 

Characters:

The main character of the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe is Jonathan Iwegbu, a former member of the Biafran army who survived the Nigerian Civil War. Other characters include:

 

Maria-Jonathan's wife, who is described as a hardworking and resourceful woman who supports her husband's efforts to rebuild their lives

The Iwegbu children - who are not named in the story, but are mentioned as being happy and healthy despite the challenges they have faced

The thieves - who steal Jonathan's bicycle, representing the lawlessness and chaos that persisted in post-war Nigeria,

The police officer - who helps Jonathan recover his stolen bicycle, representing the small pockets of order and stability that also existed in post-war Nigeria

 

Setting:

The story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe is set in the city of Enugu, Nigeria, in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. Enugu was the capital of Biafra during the war, and the story takes place shortly after the conflict has ended, when the city is still grappling with the devastation and upheaval caused by the war. The story's setting is significant because it reflects the broader social and political context of post-war Nigeria, and highlights the toughness and originality of the Nigerian people in the face of adversity.

 

Summary

"Civil Peace" is a short story that focuses on the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, which was fought between the Nigerian government and the secessionist state of Biafra from 1967 to 1970. The story is set in the city of Enugu, which was the capital of Biafra during the war. The protagonist of the story is Jonathan Iwegbu, a former member of the Biafran army who survived the war and returned home to find that his house is still standing while most of the other buildings in his neighborhood have been destroyed. He is grateful for his survival and sees it as a sign of divine providence, calling it his "civil peace." Jonathan is determined to make the most of his situation and begins to work as a bicycle taxi driver to support his family. He is also able to recover some of his buried money that he had saved during the war. One day, he is robbed by a group of thieves who steal his bicycle, but he manages to recover it with the help of a police officer. Jonathan continues to work hard and is eventually able to buy a new house, which he sees as a symbol of his resilience and determination to overcome the hardships of the war. He is also able to provide transportation services to his community, and his resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit allow him to make a living in a challenging environment. In the end, Jonathan hosts a party to celebrate the end of the war and the fact that he has been able to rebuild his life. The story ends with him reflecting on his experiences and acknowledging that his survival is a sign of hope and resilience for himself and his community. Through Jonathan's experiences, Achebe highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of the Nigerian people in the aftermath of the Civil War. Despite the destruction and chaos caused by the war, Jonathan remains optimistic and determined to rebuild his life and help others do the same. The story also emphasizes the importance of family and community in times of hardship, as Jonathan's support system helps him to overcome the challenges he faces.

 

Themes:

The theme of "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The story explores the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War and the challenges faced by ordinary people as they attempt to rebuild their lives in the wake of the conflict. Despite the devastation and loss caused by the war, the main character, Jonathan, remains optimistic and resourceful, using his ingenuity and determination to make the best of his situation. The story also highlights the importance of family and community in times of crisis, as Jonathan's wife and children provide him with the emotional support he needs to keep going. Ultimately, the story suggests that even in the darkest of times, people can find hope and strength in their own resilience and in the connections they share with others.

 

Understanding the text:

Answer the following questions:

 

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

Jonathan thinks of himself as "extraordinarily lucky" because he has survived the Nigerian Civil War and is still alive, along with his wife and children. He recognizes that many others were not as fortunate and lost their lives during the conflict, and he feels grateful to have come through it relatively safe. Additionally, despite the challenges of post-war life, Jonathan sees opportunities where others might only see difficulties, and he remains optimistic and resourceful in the face of adversity. For example, when his bicycle is stolen, he is initially upset, but then he quickly realizes that he can use the situation to his advantage by bargaining with the thieves and recovering some of his lost possessions. Jonathan's positive outlook on life, despite the hardships he has faced, is a testament to his spirit and his ability to see the good in even the most difficult situations.

 

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

In the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe, Jonathan is grateful for five blessings. These are:

1.      His survival: Jonathan is grateful to have survived the Nigerian Civil War, which was a brutal and devastating conflict that claimed the lives of millions of people.

2.      His bicycle: Jonathan is grateful to have a bicycle, which he uses to earn a living and support his family.

3.      His wife and children: Jonathan is grateful for his wife and children, who are healthy and happy despite the hardships they have faced.

4.      His small house: Jonathan is grateful for his small house, which he was able to build with the help of his family and friends.

5.      His new currency: Jonathan is grateful for the new currency that has been introduced after the war, which he believes will help him to rebuild his life and provide for his family.

 

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

In the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe, Jonathan mistrusts the police officer who comes to his house and asks to take his bicycle because he believes that the officer is trying to extort him. Jonathan has already had his bicycle stolen once, and he is wary of losing it again, especially since it is his primary means of earning a living. He also senses that the officer is not being honest with him, and that he may have hidden motives for taking the bicycle. This situation reflects the broader social and political context of post-war Nigeria, where corruption and lawlessness were widespread. The Nigerian Civil War had left the country in a state of chaos, with many people struggling to make ends meet and the government struggling to establish law and order. In this environment, people were often forced to rely on their wits and their own resources to survive, and they could not always trust the authorities to act in their best interests. Jonathan's mistrust of the police officer is a reflection of this larger reality, and it underscores the challenges faced by ordinary people in the aftermath of the war.

 

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

Jonathan and his wife are not completely surprised when visitors come to their door. They have already been visited by various people in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, including soldiers, rebels, and government officials, so they are accustomed to unexpected guests. Jonathan is initially apprehensive when he hears the knocking at the door, as he fears that it may be someone coming to steal from him or cause him harm. However, when he sees that it is only his former co-worker, he is relieved and welcomes him warmly. The appearance of the co-worker and his companions is symbolic of the challenges faced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the war. The co-worker has lost his job and is struggling to make ends meet, and he has come to Jonathan for help. Despite the difficult circumstances, Jonathan is happy to see his friend and is eager to help him in any way he can. This reflects the resilience and resourcefulness of the Nigerian people, who have learned to rely on their own networks of family and friends in the absence of a strong government or social safety net. Overall, the appearance of the co-worker and his companions underscores the challenges and opportunities of post-war Nigeria, and highlights the importance of community and solidarity in times of crisis.

 

e. Why does no one in the neighborhood respond when the thieves pound on Jonathan's door? Why do the thieves call for the police?

No one in the neighborhood responds when the thieves pound on Jonathan's door because they are afraid of getting involved in a potentially dangerous situation. The Nigerian Civil War had left the country in a state of lawlessness and violence, and many people were afraid to draw attention to themselves or their property for fear of revenge. Moreover, Jonathan's neighbors may have been preoccupied with their own struggles to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the war, and they may not have had the resources or inclination to get involved in a dispute over stolen property. The thieves call for the police because they believe that they can use the situation to their advantage. They know that the police are corrupt and that they can be bribed to look the other way or even participate in criminal activity. By calling the police, the thieves hope to frighten Jonathan and his family into giving up their possessions without a fight, and they also hope to bribe the police to overlook their own criminal behavior. This reflects the larger social and political context of post-war Nigeria, where corruption and lawlessness were uncontrolled, and people had to rely on their wits and their own resources to survive.

 

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.

In the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe, Jonathan says the expression "Nothing puzzles God" after he discovers that his bicycle has been stolen for the second time. The expression means that even though Jonathan does not understand why this has happened to him, he trusts that God has a plan and will provide for him no matter what. This expression reveals Jonathan's deep faith and optimism. Despite the challenges he faces in post-war Nigeria, he remains dedicated in his belief that everything will work out for the best. Jonathan's character is defined by his flexibility and resourcefulness in the face of adversity, as well as his strong sense of faith and hope. Moreover, Jonathan's expression highlights the cultural and religious context of Nigeria, where belief in God is deeply ingrained in the people's lives. His faith helps him to maintain a positive outlook and to persevere even in the face of difficult circumstances. This reveals Jonathan's character as a person who is deeply connected to his cultural and religious roots, and who draws strength and comfort from them in times of trouble.

 

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

In the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe, Jonathan undergoes a significant transformation as he experiences the conflict in his life. At the beginning of the story, Jonathan is depicted as a man who has lost everything in the Nigerian Civil War, but who remains optimistic and grateful for the things he still has. He considers himself lucky to have survived the war with his family intact, and he is content with the small pleasures in life, such as his bicycle and his roof. As the story progresses, Jonathan is faced with a series of challenges and conflicts that test his resilience and resourcefulness. He is robbed of his bicycle twice, and his home is invaded by thieves who steal his possessions. Through each of these experiences, Jonathan learns to adapt and to rely on his own wits and instincts to survive. He becomes more cautious and guarded, but also more confident in his ability to navigate the dangers of post-war Nigeria.

 

However, the biggest change in Jonathan comes at the end of the story, when he discovers a buried treasure that he is able to sell for a large sum of money. This windfall transforms Jonathan's life, allowing him to buy a new house and start a small business. He becomes more ambitious and assertive, taking risks and pursuing his goals with renewed vigor. Overall, Jonathan's experiences with conflict and adversity transform him from a contented survivor into a more assertive and ambitious person, who is willing to take risks and pursue his goals. However, he never loses his sense of gratitude and appreciation for the small pleasures in life, and he remains deeply connected to his cultural and religious roots.

 

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. Te only money I have in this life is this twenty pounds egg-rasher they gave me today….”

 

i. who is the speaker?

The speaker is Jonathan, the protagonist of the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe.

 

ii. Who is the speaker talking to?

Jonathan is talking to the thieves who have invaded his home.

 

ii. Who does “they” refer to?

"They" refers to the government authorities who have just given Jonathan a twenty pounds egg-rasher as a reward for his service during the war.