Central theme of Civil Peace

The central theme of Chinua Achebe's short story "Civil Peace" is the endurance and hopeful spirit of ordinary people who must rebuild their lives after a war, together with the irony that the "peace" that follows a civil war is not always peaceful.

Story in brief

Jonathan Iwegbu, a Nigerian who has survived the civil war, is "happy" because he and almost all his family are alive, and he still has his bicycle. He uses it to earn money, and he receives twenty pounds as an "egg-rasher" (ex-gratia payment) for turning in Biafran money. He repairs his damaged house and begins to rebuild his life. One night armed thieves arrive and demand money. His family cries for help, but the neighbours do not come. The thieves take his savings. Jonathan accepts the loss calmly and starts again.

Themes

1. Survival and resilience. Jonathan values life above property. He says he counts the loss as nothing, because the family has survived the war and money can be earned again.
2. Hope and optimism. Despite hunger and loss, he does not despair. The family begins work immediately.
3. Post-war insecurity. After the war, there is crime, corruption and moral decay. "Civil peace" is a bitter irony, because the thieves and the officials show that violence and exploitation continue.
4. Value of family. The unity of the family supports hope.

The story thus celebrates human courage in difficult times and gently criticises the society that fails to protect its people.