Civil Peace

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1971

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Summary

Background

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Achebe narrates the story from a third-person limited perspective focused on Jonathan Iwegbu, a victim of the civil war. How might the story be different if the same events were narrated from a different perspective?

How do you interpret the title “Civil Peace”? Consider the historical context, purpose, and irony.

Achebe wrote both fiction and nonfiction. What is gained or lost by exploring the experiences of individuals after the civil war in a short story rather than an essay?