Choose One Of The Following Questions And Answer It. 684934

Choose ONE of the following questions and answer it. 1. Discuss the irony in “Civil Peace—both in the story’s title and in Jonathan Iwegbu’s reaction to being robbed. 2.

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Choose one of the following questions regarding Chinua Achebe’s “Civil Peace” and craft a well-developed response of approximately 1000 words. Your essay should have a clear thesis statement and develop that thesis through logical, cohesive paragraphs. Support your argument with at least one direct quote from the text, properly cited in MLA format. Remember to focus on your analysis rather than summary, exploring deeper thematic or stylistic elements of the story.

Paper For Above instruction

Chinua Achebe’s short story “Civil Peace” offers a compelling exploration of resilience and optimism amid the chaos following Nigeria’s civil war. The story notably employs irony to underscore the contrast between external circumstances and internal attitudes, especially in the title and the protagonist Jonathan Iwegbu’s reaction to being robbed. “Civil Peace” is an ironic title because it suggests stability and calmness, yet the narrative reveals a society still torn by unrest and hardship. Jonathan’s reaction to being robbed—hiding his satisfied demeanor and maintaining an optimistic outlook—heightens this irony. He responds to loss not with despair but with a resilient sense of gratitude, exemplified when he confidently states, “Nothing puzzles God,” after realizing his family’s safety (Achebe, line 27). This reaction symbolizes a paradoxical attitude toward adversity—an acknowledgment of hardship combined with unwavering hope—highlighting the story’s central irony.

Furthermore, Achebe enhances the story’s irony through Jonathan’s perspective and language, revealing cultural nuances and resilience. His positive attitude stems from a deep faith and cultural belief that hardships are part of divine providence. For example, when asked about his stolen bicycle, he responds with stoic humor, “My bicycle? I have just bought it, that’s all,” dismissing the loss as a minor setback in an otherwise fortunate life (Achebe, line 12). This language reflects a cultural resilience that values humility and gratitude amidst adversity. Achebe’s use of local idioms and speech patterns, such as “Nothing puzzles God,” integrates indigenous language into the narrative, emphasizing the resilience ingrained in Nigerian culture. This between cultural worldview and external chaos reveals the irony of a “civil peace”—a society and individual outlook that persist in optimism despite ongoing conflict and hardship.

References

• Achebe, Chinua. “Civil Peace.” [Include publisher or collection details as appropriate, e.g., in a short story collection or anthology, with page or line numbers].