Civil Peace Analysis

1. Civil Peace
by Chinua Achebe
Amin - Raimi

2. What is Nigeria’s
civil war?

3. Author’s background
- Chinua Achebe was born in 1930
- Lived in Nigeria during the civil war;
survived the bombings
- Won the Man Booker International Prize
in 2007
- Served as David and Marianna Fisher
University Professor and Professor of
Africana Studies at Brown University.

4. Summary
- Jonathan works hard in the aftermath of the war, using his bicycle to start
a taxi service and opening a bar for soldiers. His family mirrors his
example, cooking food and picking fruit for sale. Since the coal mine where
Jonathan worked before the war has not reopened, this resilience is crucial
towards securing even their minor comfort.
- One day, after turning over rebel currency, Jonathan is given an award of
20 pounds. He takes care not to be robbed, remembering a theft he
observed several days earlier, in which a man broke down in public over
the indignity

5. Cont
- That night, a group of thieves knocks on his door demanding money. Frightened,
the family calls for the neighbors and police, but the heavy silence when they
finish reminds them that nobody looks out for anyone but himself. The thieves
then mock them, crying out even louder to indicate how helpless the family is.
- The thief leader demands 100 pounds, promising not to hurt Jonathan or his
family if he cooperates. Eventually, Jonathan realizes their lack of options, and
gives the thieves the 20 pounds of reward money so they will leave the family
unharmed. Some thieves insist they should search the house for more, but the
thief leader believes this is all Jonathan has, and accepts it.

6. Theme
Positive mindset (Optimism)
- The major theme that can be seen throughout the story.
- The story portrays implicitly the power of positive thinking through
Jonathan’s success.
- Even though he has lost many times in the war, his positive
mindset has allowed him to shape and successfully manage the
difficult post-war landscape.

7. Setting
- Post civil war era (West Africa)
“Civil Peace is set in eastern Nigeria, after the civil war there.
Many people have lost their jobs and/or homes. Lives have been
lost. People are trying to rebuild as best they can. Jonathan
Iwegbu is one such man who brings his family back to their
hometown, to find their house is still standing.”

8. Characters
Jonathan Iwegbu
● The protagonist and the main character in Civil Peace
● He is a hard worker and an optimist.
● He values his family and does everything he can to help them
● He is also industrious
○ We can see this from the way he started his own business instead of waiting for
the situation to change.

9. Cont
The Thief
● Extremely confident as he announces himself as a thief and mocks the
family cries for help.
● Overall, the thieves are a poignant symbol of the danger and uncertainty of
Nigeria at this time.
● The leader's language suggests he is less educated than Jonathan, and his
glib, arrogant tone reveals his awareness of how little a family has to rely
on outside themselves.

10. “A book exists at the
intersection of the
author’s subconscious
and the reader’s
response.” - William Gibson

11. What is the message that the author trying
to portray in the story?

12. If you were Jonathan, would fight for your
family safety during the robbery. Describe
briefly your answer.

13. Draw 3 emojis to describe what you feel
after reading this story.