Grade XI Compulsory English | Unit: 5- Civil Peace | (XI-English ) by- Chinua Achebe

Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe: Summary

The well-known Nigerian author Chinua Achebe's short story 'Civil Peace' is a realistic story which presents the condition immediately after the Civil War. The story is about a Biafran civil war and its effect on the lives of ordinary Nigerian people.

It is an interesting and touching comment on quick and easy recovery from hardship after the war. Most people are damaged by the aftereffects of the war, but Jonathan Iwegbu thinks himself very lucky to have survived, although he had lost his youngest son. He had come out of the war with five inestimable blessings to him, his wife Maria and his three out of four children. As an extra bonus he had his bicycle, which he dug up almost as good as new after the fighting had stopped. This bicycle was almost seized by the military officer, but he got it by spending two pounds. Then he found his little house in Enugu still standing, despite the absence of minor details like doors, windows and a roof. For someone like Jonathan Iwegbu  who saw everything in positive terms, this was another miracle in the town. And now the family started its journey back to normality and prosperity. The children started selling mangoes, his wife sold akara balls and he was involved in his selling palm-wine. From one point of view, it is meager  material with which to start a new life, but to the very optimistic Jonathan it is, after the horrors of war, blessing upon blessing. The final windfall is the ex-gratia payment (the egg rasher) he receives. It confirms his belief in a generous god. 'Nothing puzzles God' is his catchphrase. In both situations he uses the same phrase. Everything that life provides is a bonus to him. He counts himself extraordinarily happy after he has survived the war. The recovery of his bicycle is another miracle for him because he sees everything in positive terms. He starts a new life in his house with insufficient material. He is optimistic and is happy with what he has. The ex-gratia payment is the windfall gain. But when the thieves take it away, he is engaged in his everyday work. He considers that his life did not depend on that money last week. He is clever and practical. Once his bicycle was seized by military officials,  but Jonathan got it back by giving the man two pounds. He willingly gave twenty pounds and saved the lives of his family members. He works hard in both situations. He has complete faith in God.

One night there occurs a further return to normality when thieves pay the long-suffering to Jonathan. First of all, the thieves knock on the door and politely announce themselves 'No tief man and his people'. When the family screams for help the thieves offer their assistance, knowing no one will come to help and that the soldiers are more to be feared than themselves. Once that has been settled, they are prepared to be reasonable. They say that they are not bad thieves to trouble the people, that war as well as trouble has finished, and that it is the time of civil peace. After the uneasy negotiation, Jonathan comes to accept the new conditions of civil peace and hands over his egg rasher. Although the great mass protests, the leader, as a 'good ties' promise a fair business: 'we just take our small money and go. When his neighbors appear in the early morning to express their sympathy, the family is at work again. And Jonathan has 'written off his egg rasher: Did I depend on it last week? Or is it greater than other things that went to the war? ... Nothing puzzles God! Once again, his optimistic fatalism enables him to rise above the difficulty. Everything that life provides is a bonus. In this fine story Achebe carefully maintains the balance between realistic reportage and the firm shape of the fable so that the result tells us more about the war and its after effects than any account of detailed documentation.

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Civil Peace Summary 2

Thanks for exploring this Super Summary Plot Summary of “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, Super Summary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Civil Peace is a short story by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, published in 1971. It is set in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, sometimes referred to as the Biafran War, when the Ibo, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, attempted to form their own country. Achebe combines straightforward English with a patois based on the speech patterns and rhythms of the Ibo to convey to the reader a sense of what it was like to live in Nigeria after the devastating conflict.

The story opens with the line “Jonathan Iwegbu counted himself extraordinarily lucky.” Jonathan considers himself lucky because he has emerged from the war with five specific blessings: His wife and three of his four children, and his bicycle. He reflects that he almost lost the bicycle to a man claiming to be a military officer and requisitioning the bike; Jonathan doubted the veracity of the man’s position because of his shabby uniform and hand-drawn rank insignia, so Jonathan offered the man two pounds to leave him alone, which was accepted. That night Jonathan buries the bicycle in the graveyard established near the refugee camp where his family has taken shelter—the same graveyard where his youngest son is buried. A year later, after the war has ended, Jonathan returns and digs up his bicycle, amazed to discover it is in fine condition. He says, “Nothing puzzles God,” a recurring refrain in the story that means Jonathan accepts he will never understand God’s plans or intentions.

Jonathan is an industrious and practical man. He refurbishes his bike and immediately starts a taxi service with it, charging people six pounds for rides. With the money he accumulates, he returns to the city of Enugu and goes to his old house, and is once again amazed at his good fortune because his house is still standing when several nearby structures have been reduced to rubble. The house needs some repairs, but this does not dismay Jonathan; he collects materials from the debris all around and hires a carpenter to fix the house up, and moves his family back in.

Jonathan’s wife begins selling food to their neighbors, and his children begin picking mangoes to sell. Jonathan invests in some fresh palm wine from nearby villages, waters it down and opens a bar in his home for soldiers. He goes to the old coal mine where he had previously been employed to see if it will re-open, and there he sees many of his former co-workers are in much worse situations, sleeping at the mine and scraping together miserable meals. When Jonathan realizes the mine will never re-open, he goes home and commits to his new bar.

During the war, Jonathan turned in a large sum of rebel money, and the government announces an ex gratia reward of 20 pounds. The Latin phrase means “as a gift,” and everyone pronounces it egg rashers. Jonathan feels extremely lucky to have the extra money, and goes home paranoid of being robbed.

That evening as they sleep, there is a loud knocking at the door—a gang of armed thieves has arrived and demands 100 pounds. Jonathan and his wife scream for help and call out for the police, but the thieves are unperturbed—in fact, their chief offers to help call for the police and the thieves shout for help and the police, but again there is no response. The leader of the thieves then asks Jonathan if he would like them to call for soldiers instead, and then tells Jonathan that there’s no need for trouble—the war is over, there is no more Civil War, now they have Civil Peace. All Jonathan must do is give them the money and they will leave his family alone. Otherwise they will come inside and search the house and abuse his family.

Jonathan tells them he does not have 100 pounds, he only has twenty. The leader of the gang says if Jonathan hands the money through the window the gang will leave. His fellow thieves protest, saying they know Jonathan has more money and insisting that they enter the house and search it, but the leader overrides them. He believes that Jonathan only has 20 pounds. Jonathan hands over his “egg rasher” money and the thieves leave.

The next day the neighbors come out to sympathize with Jonathan and his family, but Jonathan is sanguine as his wife begins cooking and his sons begin preparing the palm wine bottles. He tells his neighbors that he wasn’t dependent on the egg rasher money and isn’t going to linger over the robbery because as he says, “Nothing puzzles God”—just because he doesn’t understand how fortunes turn doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan.

Achebe presents post-war Nigeria as a place of chaos, where authority is weak, and the government and police cannot be relied upon. People like Jonathan and his family must look out for themselves and make their own fortune. This is ironically compared to Jonathan’s positive attitude, based as it is on the assumption that everything that happens is intentional on God’s part. Achebe suggests that this resilience and acceptance is both the root of Nigeria’s mismanagement and the ongoing survival of its people.

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Civil Peace Summary

Jonathan Iwegbu has survived the Nigerian Civil War along with his wife and three of his four children, and thus considers himself “extraordinarily lucky”. He also treasures his still-working bicycle, which he buried during the war to ensure it would not be stolen. Another apparent miracle is his still-standing home, which he repairs and reoccupies after returning home to the capital city of Enugu. To explain both his good and bad fortune to himself and others, he often repeats a phrase: “Nothing puzzles God.”

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.

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.

The next morning, Jonathan and the family are back at work as the neighbors arrive. Sensing their confusion over his ability to toss off the situation of the night before, Jonathan explains to his neighbors that the reward money cannot compare to what he lost in the war. He chooses to focus on his work in the present rather than regret what has happened, since “Nothing puzzles God.”

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Summary

The story 'Civil Peace' is set in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. It is about the effects of the Nigerian Civil War on the people. Jonathan Iwegbu is the protagonist of the story. To explain both good and bad fortune to himself and others, he often repeats the phrase 'Nothing puzzles God.' He has survived in the Nigerian Civil War along with his wife and his children and considers himself lucky. He also has his bicycle, which he buried during the war to make sure it would not be stolen. He turns it into a taxi to make money. In two weeks he makes 150 pounds.

Jonathan then travels to Enugu, the capital city. To his surprise, his house is still standing when other structures around it are ruined. The house requires some repairs, so he immediately collects zinc, wood and cardboard, and hires a carpenter to complete the work. He then moves his family back home. The family works hard to earn money and rebuild their lives. The children pick mangoes and sell them to soldiers' wives. Maria, Jonathan's wife makes akara balls to sell to their neighbours. When he comes to know that his job as a miner isn’t possible, he involves in selling palm-wine.

Jonathan is given an award of 20 pounds for turning in the Biafran money to the Treasury. He leaves the office with his money in his pocket, taking care, so no thief should get it. That evening, he has trouble in falling asleep. He finally does so, only to be awakened by pounding on the front door. A group of thieves demands 100 pounds, promising not to hurt Jonathan or his family if he cooperates. Frightened, the family calls for the neighbours and police, but nobody responds and comes to help them. Jonathan replies that all he has is 20 pounds and is ready to give it for his family’s protection. Some thieves insist they should search the house for more, but the leader agrees with the amount and accepts it.

The following morning the neighbours gather to review the results of the night's unfortunate disturbance. They discover Jonathan and the family are back at work. Jonathan explains them that the reward money cannot compare to what he lost in the war. He chooses to focus on his work in the present rather than regret what has happened.

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 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 and firmness in his manner. He saved his bicycle giving two pounds to the officer. It reveals corruption and dishonesty prevailed in the Nigerian society as effect of the civil war.

Answer: The people who show up at the door are thieves. He and his family shouts for help but nobody came. 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.

Answer:No one in the neighbourhood responds when the thieves pound on Jonathan’s door because they are scared of the thieves. They call for the police to make fun of Jonathan and his family.

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.

Jonathan’s expression ‘Nothing puzzles God’ indicates his deep religious faith in God and pessimistic nature. Jonathan repeatedly utters the expression for positive outcomes - like the survival of his home and family - as blessings or miracles, and in bad situations, like coal mine's closing and robbery. He is willing to accept that he cannot control the forces of fate, and instead focuses on the future. He successfully manages the chaos of the war and its aftermath by accepting both good and bad events as the will of God. By attributing events to God, he accepts his disability to change things that have already come to pass. This makes him focus his determination on working for the future instead of indulging in self-pity.

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

Jonathan makes himself free from agonizing about the experiences of the Civil War and its after-effects. He exhibits a happy tone even in the face of hard times. He becomes more willing to get rid of material and monetary things to preserve what he cares for most, his and his family life. This willingness allows him to use his energy constructively in the present instead of having negative emotion for the past. His optimism remains unshakable throughout the story.

c. Read the extract and answer the questions below.

i. Who is the speaker?

ii. Who is the speaker talking to?

iii. Who does “they” refer to?

Answer: i. Jonathan is the speaker.

ii. The speaker is talking to himself.

"They" refers to the officials of the treasury.

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?

Achebe has blended both standards and local languages to make the story real. He uses these languages to differentiate the protagonist from the thieves outside his door. Their dialogue draws significant attention to this inconsistency. The use of dialect has created authentic Nigerian characters. He has invented a new form of English, a Nigerian English dialect to show the bicultural heritage of his nation.

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

The verbal exchange contrasts English spoken by the thieves in a heavier African accent and the proper English spoken by Jonathan. The way thieves making fun of the family’s call for help only reinforces these differences. For example, the family cries out, “We are lost!” but in a heavier English accent, this plea becomes “we done loss-o!” Achebe makes use of English with an African accent for three reasons. The differences between speeches suggest that Jonathan is better educated than thieves. Also, the use of English accurately reflects the eastern Nigerian society. Lastly, the broken English is used to produce comedic effect.

f. The title of the story "Civil Peace" itself is ironical ............ ‘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.

Achebe uses the title in an ironical way to highlight the violence which is still present in a post-war Nigeria. Though the war has come to an end, the area is still chaotic and filled with disagreement. The war leaves a tremendous amount of destruction. Jonathan gathers up what he can to rebuild his life. Even, a group of thieves use the term “civil peace” when they rob Iwegbu and his family. Moreover, the violence that was common during the war is not gone, and things are not much better for common people like Jonathan Iwegbu.

The story follows Jonathan Iwegbu who collects the fragments of his life after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. It praises the power of positive thinking through Jonathan's success. This shows that people are hopeful for bright future after the end of the civil war. The writer thus gives more emphasis on civil peace than civil war.

Source: https://www.suryaxetri.com/2021/02/neb-grade-xi-compulsory-english-note-civil-peace-chinua-achebe.html