Thorough analysis and response essay on Civil Peace by...

Civil Peace. One rarely hears those two words together. It is usually either Civil War, or perhaps Civil Chaos, but rarely is it Civil Peace. This is because it is not the times of peace that are remembered, but the times of war. It is during these times that people truly shine as the need arises or are exposed for their truer, more evil selves. Like Jamie Sullivan said in A Walk to Remember, There would be no compassion without suffering. Chinua Achebes Civil Peace is a story about going through hardships and never forgetting what is most important. Civil Peace is set in the early 1970s in the country of Nigeria. There had been a civil war in the late 1960s that had had a devastating effect on the country. When the civil war had†¦show more content†¦Jonathan also checks up on his old mining job, but after finding that it had become an unpredictable job, he decides to focus on his bar. Some time after, he receives a 20 pound egg-rasher for turning in rebel money. Then, that night, after Jonathan finally falls asleep after being anxious about receiving the egg-rasher, someone begins to knock on the door. Jonathan and his family wake up and begin yelling to try to wake up the soldiers, but to no avail. Then, in a mockery of them, the gang begins yelling the same thing. Jonathan asks them what they want, and the leader responds with a request for 100 pounds and a threat of gunfire, which makes Maria and the children cry. Jonathan then tells them that he only has 20 pounds, and that they could search his house and if they fi nd more, they could kill him and his family. The leader accepts the 20 pounds and leaves. The story ends with Jonathan telling his sympathizers that the loss of the egg-rasher is nothing important to him, that more important things were lost in the war, and that he is content with what he has. There are quite a few symbols in this story. Jonathan Iwegbu symbolizes all people in this world, all having their own miracles and blessings, and conflicts and hardships. Jonathans family represents those that help people enjoy their blessings and get through their hardships. The bicycle, the house, and the egg-rasher all symbolize the things in this world