Civil Peace, Marriage is a Private Affair, Chike's School Days 

by Chinua Achebe 

 Questions to discuss:
1. Narratological analysis (Civil Peace, Marriage is a private affair, Chike's School
Days).

1. Is the basic narrative mode ‘mimetic’ or ‘diegetic’? Mimesis – (showing or

dramatizing) ‘slow telling’. Diegesis – (telling or relating) ‘rapid telling’
2. How is the narrative focalised? Focalisation is a point of view from which the story
is told. Focalisation can be: External (focus on what the character does or says);
Internal (focus on what the character feels or thinks); ‘Zero focalisation’ (the
author freely enters the minds and emotions of more than one character
(omniscient narration). Focaliser or reflector of the tale is the character with whose
internal focalisation the story is told.
3. Who is telling the story? Covert narrator is not identified as a distinct character; a
voice; disembodied narrator, authorial persona. Covert narrator can also be called
effaced, non-intrusive, non-dramatised. Overt narrator – is identified as a distinct
hero with a name, background, preferences, etc. Overt narrator can also be called
intrusive, dramatized. Heterodiegetic overt narrator learned about the events from
someone. Homodiegetic overt narrator participated in the events.
4. How is time handled in the story? Analepsis – (back-take) flash back, retelling the
past story. Prolepsis – (fore-take) flash forward, referring to or anticipating what
will happen next, hint to the future, literary “prophecy”.
5. How is the story ‘packaged’? Frame (primary) narratives/ embedded (secondary)
narratives. Types of frame narratives: Double-ended – we return to the frame
narrative after the embedded is over; Single-ended – we do not return to the
frame narrative after the embedded is told; Intrusive – when the narrator telling
the embedded narrative makes pauses, interrupts the embedded narrative (or is
interrupted) taking the reader back to the frame narrative.
6. How is speech represented in the story? Direct and tagged (‘What are you doing
here?’ she asked. /‘I’m waiting,’ he answered.) Free direct (‘What are you doing
here?’ /‘I’m waiting.’) Direct and selectively tagged (‘What are you doing here?’
she asked. /‘I’m waiting.’) Tagged indirect speech (She asked what he was doing
and he told that he was waiting.) Free indirect speech (What was he doing? He was
waiting.)

2. Africa vs. Western Civilization.

3. Privacy and public life in Nigerian society.
4. The atmosphere of elusive peace.
5. The peculiarities of Nigerian education.

CIVIL PEACE http://vtenged10.pbworks.com/f/Chinua+Achebe-Civil+Peace.pdf

This story is written after the Nigerian Civil War. The upheaval surges due to the tensions
between the Hausas of North and the Igbo of southeast Nigeria. It throws light on the
drastic impacts of the Civil War highlighting the country’s damaged infrastructure and
economy. Likewise, it exhibits the loss of innocent lives (genocide), famine and miserable
situations of people. Besides, it ironically depicts the incompetent colonialism.

It is a story of an optimistic and industrious man, who despite the loss of his son steps
forward and starts endeavoring to survive. He tries to overcome every hurdle in his way in
order to provide stability to his family.

JONATHAN IWEGBU
He is the protagonist of the story. Besides, he is depicted as an optimistic, industrious and
resilient character. He doesn’t regret the loss that occurred to him in the war. Rather, he
copes up and starts endeavoring for his future.

In the story, he lost his son in the war despite that irreversible loss he celebrates what he
still has such as his wife and remaining three children. As well as, he starts up different
businesses in order to support his family.

WAR
Glimpses of war can be seen throughout the story. This story reflects the devastating
images of the war. With the help of Jonathan’s characters and things happening around
him Achebe has tactfully interwoven the effects of war. It mirrors how the country’s
infrastructure and economy was destroyed.

This is evident when Jonathan sees his house standing amidst rubble. Also, when he
witnesses the homeless people living in the coal mines and eating stale food. Readers can
also assume the loss of innocent lives during the war in the story. It is shown when
Jonathan loses his son and buries him in the graveyard.

GOD, OPTIMISM AND RESILIENCE

Throughout the story readers can find Jonathan coping up with his loss and regrets through
the refrain “Nothing puzzles God”. From this, one can assume Achebe is prompting the
religious teaching for the encouragement.

Jonathan stays optimistic despite every tragedy. Even he lost his son in the war but he
doesn’t let himself get stuck to that point. Rather he believes in God and his fate and steps
forward. He seems grateful for what he has not mourned over his losses.

LEGACY OF COLONIALISM
Achebe in the story has depicted the horrific colonialism of Britain’s. Achebe exhibits how
the miseries and outcries of Africans fell over the deaf ears of colonizers.

He explains it via the tragedy of robbery at Jonathan’s House. Despite their screams
everyone failed to respond not even police and soldiers came forward to help. Rather, the
thief mocks the authority and ironically states the war has ended and now it is civil peace.
This reflects the incompetence of colonizers. Also this mirrors highlights the apathetic
attitude of colonizers towards their subjects in lieu of providing help to those who were
exploiting them.

UNTRUSTWORTHY AUTHORITY, LAW AND JUSTICE

Achebe throws light on the Africa of those times. He opens up the reality of bad
governance before readers. It is evident via the example of military officers who accept the
bribe from Jonathan. This tells the readers how people were on their own for their survival.

As well as, when police and soldiers failed to respond to the robbery at Jonathan’s house.
Rather there was complete silence from their side. This shows their apathy towards the
problems of subjects.

WORK ETHIC AND STRUGGLE

After the war Jonathan started up a small business of taxi service. Then, from its profit he
opens up a bar at his house. Whole Iwegbu family in the story is engaged in work. On one
hand, father is running a business. On the other hand, mother and children are providing
help by baking cakes, cleaning up wine bottles and selling fruits.

This also tells the readers about the economic perturbation after the war. Everyone was
living in destitution. Achebe throws light on this by depicting the homeless people eating
stale food and living in coal mines.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE

Achebe has ironically used this title to object to the false peace that the government has
restored only by name after the Biafra revolution in Nigeria. The title “Civil” connotes the
due rights of people. 

However, in the story he contradicts the very title by depicting the violence and
incompetence of authority in the society. He suggests to the readers that though war has
ended but still it is affecting society in the form of shockwaves.

JONATHAN’S BICYCLE
Firstly, readers may come across this symbol in the story, which Achebe has tactfully used.
The Bicycle symbolizes hope and revival of life. Jonathan digs up his bicycle and is
amazed to find it in fine condition. Also, he refurbished his bicycle and through that he
initiated his first business of taxi service. Through the profit of bicycle business he invests
his money in bar business and in this way Jonathan’s family becomes stable.

Here, Achebe is of the view that one should stay strong nevertheless of hurdles in the way.
In this way, they can reach their desired point. Through this he wants to convey the
message of endeavoring to his Nigerian society, which was completely damaged after the
civil war.
After the war everything was damaged in this way; everyone was supposed to start their
lives from the beginning. The bicycle exhibits the same. It was dug up and refurbished then
Jonathan initiated his business and a new life along with his family. 

EGG RASHER
On the other hand, readers may find the symbol of egg rasher in the story. Egg rasher
symbolizes the conflicts and violence in the post war times. Additionally, Jonathan was
rewarded twenty pounds for turning over the rebel money. However, this rewarded money
becomes the reason for the tragedy and threat for his family. Thieves arrived at his house
dancing hundred pounds while Jonathan gave them this rewarded money to get rid of
them.

Through this Achebe highlights that still violence and conflicts are present in the post war
times. Though war has ended but it has harmed the society so deeply that its
repercussions will haunt the society for long.

LITERARY DEVICES
Achebe has used certain figurative devices in the story.

ALLUSION
Readers may come across the word “Bournvita tins” which he has used to depict the
ruthless colonialism of Britain over Africa It is used when Jonathan saw his former co-miner
eating stale food and residue of bournvita tins. This depicts the apathetic attitude of
colonizers towards it’s subjects.

PERSONIFICATION
One can see Achebe personifying the survival of Jonathan with happiness in the
story “Happy survival!”. This expresses Jonathan’s emotions after war. He seems happy
even after every tragedy he faced.

Further in the story, Jonathan’s house is personified with the humanly attribute “zinc house
of no regrets”. This reflects the inner self of Jonathan who was having no remorse for his
past.

Similarly, the knock of thieves is personified with the quality of being harsh and
heavy “heaviest knocking”. Here it expresses the danger and violence that would be faced
by Jonathan. Likewise, Achebe in order to specify the callousness of thieves group he
personified it with “horrible chorus”.

METAPHORS AND SIMILES

Readers may also find the usage of metaphors and similes in the story. For
instance, “heartless ruffian” was used for the thief who robbed the man before Jonathan.
Achebe has used this to emphasize the unkindness of the robber. Moreover, Achebe has
used the metaphor “oceanic crowd” to accentuate the number of people.
Likewise, Jonathan fortune is described through the “day of the windfall”. It depicts the
mercy of God over Jonathan. In this way, he gets rewarded turning in the money of rebels.

Achebe emphasizes the sentiments of Jonathan through simile. He says “It was like
Christmas for him”. This describes the joy for the reward he got.  Also he compares his joys
with the excitement and happiness of Christmas day.

IRONY
The title itself is ironic as it contradicts the concept of civil peace in the story. Achebe
highlights the violence and incompetence of authorities which is in contrast with the title.

 REFRAIN
Throughout the story one can see Achebe using the refrain “Nothing puzzles God”.
Through this he accentuates the hope. Also, the ways of Divine which a mortal can
comprehend. The way God has shown his mercy over Jonathan.

GENRE & TONE

“Civil Peace” is written in historical fiction. The overall tone used in the story is optimistic
and hopeful.

POINT OF VIEW
Achebe has used the third person limited point of view. Readers can explore the story
through the thoughts and views of Jonathan.

1. Is the basic narrative mode ‘mimetic’ or ‘diegetic’? – Mimetic

2. How is the narrative focalised? Focalisation is a point of view from which the story
is told. Focalisation can be: – External (focus on what the character does or says);
3. Who is telling the story? – Covert narrator is not identified as a distinct character; a
voice; disembodied narrator, authorial persona. Covert narrator can also be called
effaced, non-intrusive, non-dramatised.
4. How is time handled in the story? – both! Analepsis – (back-take) flash back,
retelling the past story. Prolepsis – (fore-take) flash forward, referring to or
anticipating what will happen next, hint to the future, literary “prophecy”.
5. How is the story ‘packaged’? Frame (primary) narratives/ embedded (secondary)
narratives. Types of frame narratives: –––– Intrusive – when the narrator telling the
embedded narrative makes pauses, interrupts the embedded narrative (or is
interrupted) taking the reader back to the frame narrative.
6. How is speech represented in the story? – mostly Direct and tagged (‘What are you
doing here?’ she asked. /‘I’m waiting,’ he answered.)

MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR - https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/4_Marriage%20is

%20a%20Private%20Affair%20by%20Chinua%20Achebe.pdf

THE TITLE
The tile “Marriage is a Private Affair” is symbolical. It represents the truth that marriage issues
should be personal or privately decided. It is realistic when it comes to be decided privately by his
son.
THE SETTING
The story is set in Nigeria. It starts at 16 Kasanga Street, Lagos.
STYLE AND OTHER LITERARY TECHNIQUES
The author has applied several writing styles in this story. Some of the styles are: Use of third
person narrative style, flashback, and Use of letters.
MNAEMEKA OKEKE - He is a main character. He is a young man from the IBO tribe. He lives
and works in Lagos. He is educated. He has stayed long in the city such that he can't remember the
people of remote parts in the IBO country. He is against the traditional views that parents should
determine the spouse of their sons. He goes against his father on the issue of marrying a partner
from Ibibio tribe. He is also called Emeka, as his father calls him. He is well-behaved and
optimistic.
LANGUAGE
The language used in the story is simple, although there is use of some tribal terms. However, the
following figures of speech may be noticed from the story.
Metaphor. “He remembered Ugoye quite well, an Amazon of a girl who used to beat up all the
boys, himself indeed on the way to the stream, a complete dunce at school”.
“It is Satan’s work”.
Exaggeration. “His father’s silence was infinitely more menacing than a flood of threatening
speech”.
Symbolism. The Rain= The author has used starting of the rainy season at the time Okeke is
changing his views over his son, to symbolize the change or the start of the new look and new
attitude over intermarriage for Okeke and other people like him.
Dramatic irony. The author has used dramatic irony. He lets us know that Nnaemeka has a letter
from his father that mentions Ugoye Nweke, but Nene herself doesn’t know that Emeka has such
letter.
Situational irony. Nene happens to meet a strange situation in her life she never expected. She
believes that Ibo are more advanced to let such Okeke’s ideas grow. She also wonders how the
society can still be stuck to such idea.
Allusions. Biblical allusions. “….St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says that women should
keep quiet." (1 Cor. 14:34). Amazon= Ugoye is called an Amazon because she is tall, strong and
aggressive. The term is taken from the name for Amazons, a race of female warriors in Greek
mythology. Lagos, the capital of Nigeria. Calabar, seaport city in Southern Nigeria.
Anecdote. Okeke uses anecdote when he tells a story of Mrs. Ochuba. A story reveals that teaches a
certain lesson. His fellow elders also help in telling it.
Flashback. Okeke uses anecdote when he tells a story of Mrs. Ochuba. A story reveals that teaches
a certain lesson. His fellow elders also help in telling it.
Use of letters. The letters are used very much by the author. Some of them are that Okeke wrote to
inform his son over Ugoye and that written to Nene. Also that written to Okeke from Nene.
THEMES
The story has several themes/issues that result from various generational and cultural differences.
The following themes can be found in the story:
Tribalism. Okeke, Nnaemeka’s father believes in tribalism. He believes that people of different
cultural backgrounds cannot intermarry. That’s why he disagrees with Emeka marrying Nene. Even
his fellow villagers, Madubogwu and Jonathan are all tribalists.
Superstition. This author describes this society that it strongly believes in superstition and
witchcraft. For instance, Mrs. Ochuba kills her husband because she took a medicine to dishonest
herbalist. This leads her to kill her own husband. Madubogwu is also superstitious for advising
Okeke to take Emeka to the herbalist.
Irresponsibility. Okeke, Nnaemeka’s father is irresponsible for not playing a parental role. He does
not play his fatherly role to his son, Emeka and he does not play his role to his grandsons. So, he is
not a good parent.
Religious beliefs/Christianity. The people like Okeke, Emeka, Jacob, Nene and others strongly
believe in religious/Christian teachings. This belief has influenced their daily lives. For instance,
when Okeke refers to the Bible passage of 1 Cor. 14:34.
Marriage. The author also portrays marriage as one of the issues in this society. The author shows
couple like Emeka and Nene who are from different cultural backgrounds who live together as
husband and wife.
Culture. culture is a total ways of life of a particular society. Culture is being discussed in the story.
It tells of two different cultures: an Ibo culture and Ibibio culture.
Position of women. Women in the story are portrayed as the ones who cannot participate in
decision making and who take care of the family. They have also been portrayed as one who works
like men like teaching as Nene does at girls’ school in Lagos. They are also displayed as disunited
when the village women fail to cooperate fully with Nene.
Education. The influence of education is seen in this society. For others like Emeka and Nene,
education has opened their minds and buried all their cultural differences. They look themselves as
sharing common human goals rather than tribal qualities.
Disillusionment. Nnaemeka is disillusioned by his father who does not support him when it comes
to his marriage. Nene is also disillusioned by Okeke, her father –in law, for not accepting her at first
time.
Awareness. This is the situation of becoming aware of something. In the story, at last Okeke
becomes aware that marriage is a private affair. It should be decided by the people who are going to
live together, not by parents. He finally realizes the possibility of intermarriage in the society.
African traditions. This issue has also been discussed by the writer. Okeke, for example, is the one
who observes traditions. However, in the end he realises that marriage and love are just private
affairs which cannot be easily interfered by outsiders.

1. Is the basic narrative mode ‘mimetic’ or ‘diegetic’? - Mimesis – (showing or

dramatizing) ‘slow telling’.
2. How is the narrative focalised? Focalisation is a point of view from which the story
is told. Focalisation can be: External (focus on what the character does or says);
Internal (focus on what the character feels or thinks); ‘Zero focalisation’ (the author
freely enters the minds and emotions of more than one character (omniscient narration).
Focaliser or reflector of the tale is the character with whose internal focalisation
the story is told.
3. Who is telling the story? - Covert narrator is not identified as a distinct character; a
voice; disembodied narrator, authorial persona. Covert narrator can also be called
effaced, non-intrusive, non-dramatised.
4. How is time handled in the story? Analepsis – (back-take) flash back, retelling the past
story. Prolepsis – (fore-take) flash forward, referring to or anticipating what will
happen next, hint to the future, literary “prophecy”.
5. How is the story ‘packaged’? Frame (primary) narratives/ embedded (secondary)
narratives. Types of frame narratives: Double-ended – we return to the frame
narrative after the embedded is over; Single-ended – we do not return to the
 frame narrative after the embedded is told; Intrusive – when the narrator telling the
embedded narrative makes pauses, interrupts the embedded narrative (or is interrupted)
taking the reader back to the frame narrative.
6. How is speech represented in the story? Direct and tagged (‘What are you doing
here?’ she asked. /‘I’m waiting,’ he answered.) Free direct (‘What are you doing
here?’ /‘I’m waiting.’) Direct and selectively tagged (‘What are you doing here?’ she
asked. /‘I’m waiting.’) Tagged indirect speech (She asked what he was doing and
he told that he was waiting.) Free indirect speech (What was he doing? He was
waiting.)

CHIKE'S SCHOOL DAYS -

https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/eng2850kmaspring2017/files/2017/01/Achebe-Chikes-School-
Days.pdf
https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/eng2850htrc/?p=671

http://sittingbee.com/chikes-school-days-chinua-achebe/

1. Is the basic narrative mode - Diegesis – (telling or relating) ‘rapid telling’

2. How is the narrative focalised? Focalisation is a point of view from which the story
is told. Focalisation can be: External (focus on what the character does or says);
Internal (focus on what the character feels or thinks); ‘Zero focalisation’ (the
author freely enters the minds and emotions of more than one character
(omniscient narration). Focaliser or reflector of the tale is the character with whose
internal focalisation the story is told.
3. Who is telling the story? Covert narrator is not identified as a distinct character; a
voice; disembodied narrator, authorial persona. Covert narrator can also be called
effaced, non-intrusive, non-dramatised. Overt narrator – is identified as a distinct
hero with a name, background, preferences, etc. Overt narrator can also be called
intrusive, dramatized. Heterodiegetic overt narrator learned about the events from
someone. Homodiegetic overt narrator participated in the events.
4. How is time handled in the story? Analepsis – (back-take) flash back, retelling the
past story. Prolepsis – (fore-take) flash forward, referring to or anticipating what
will happen next, hint to the future, literary “prophecy”.
5. How is the story ‘packaged’? Frame (primary) narratives/ embedded (secondary)
narratives. Types of frame narratives: Double-ended – we return to the frame
narrative after the embedded is over; Single-ended – we do not return to the
frame narrative after the embedded is told; Intrusive – when the narrator telling
the embedded narrative makes pauses, interrupts the embedded narrative (or is
interrupted) taking the reader back to the frame narrative.
6. How is speech represented in the story? Direct and tagged (‘What are you doing
here?’ she asked. /‘I’m waiting,’ he answered.) Free direct (‘What are you doing
here?’ /‘I’m waiting.’) Direct and selectively tagged (‘What are you doing here?’
she asked. /‘I’m waiting.’) Tagged indirect speech (She asked what he was doing
and he told that he was waiting.) Free indirect speech (What was he doing? He was
waiting.)