Class 11 English Lesson 5: Reference to the context

 

Reference to the context

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCKA5_TUIBc 

 

a.    What does Jonathan mean by his expression “Nothing puzzles God”? What does this expression reveal about his character? Explain by citing details from the story.

In the story “Civil Peace”, Jonathan uses the expression “Nothing puzzles God” whenever something miraculous happens to him. He uses this line when he gets his bicycle back in fine condition from the ground. Next, he uses it when he finds his house is still standing after the war. By “Nothing puzzles God,” he means that anything can happen, but Almighty God, being omniscient, is not surprised and puzzled by anything, which means that God knows each thing. The last time he uses it is at the end of the story after his family is robbed of the ex gratia. This expression reveals that he is a quite optimistic person who has been believing in God. He feels too delighted to get miracles in his life. This expression also reveals that he is a good person who enjoys everything he has but never laments his losses. Therefore, his character was optimistic, hopeful, and religious.

b.     How does Jonathan change as he experiences the conflicts in his life? Explain.

Jonathan is a hardworking person who believes in his hard labour as well as god the most. He is a quite optimistic person who never loses hope. He has experienced many conflicts in his life. He has lost his child during the war, but he believes himself lucky to get 5 inestimable blessings. Jonathan keeps on doing his hard labour for the sake and welfare of his family, keeping faith and believing in God. He changes according to the demands of the time and his own family needs.

c.      Read the extract and answer the questions below.

“To God who made me, if you come inside and find one hundred pounds, take it and shoot me and shoot my wife and children. I swear to God. The only money I have in this life is this twenty pounds' egg-rasher they gave me today …”

i.       Who is the speaker?

Jonathan is the speaker.

ii.     Who is the speaker talking to?

The speaker is talking to the thieves or robbers.

iii.  Who does “they” refer to?

“They” refers to the officials of the treasury, i.e., the government.

d.     Nigerian English has words like soja ‘soldier’ and katakata ‘confusion’, ‘trouble’, derived apparently from English words but transformed by native languages’ phonologies. What does the author’s use of dialect here add to the story?

Nigerian English has words like Soja “soldier) and katakata “confusion, trouble), delivered apparently from English words but transformed by the Native language phonologies. The author added dialects here in the story for the following reasons:

• To focus on the native language
• To promote the dialects
• To know the status of living people in Nigeria
• To promote the nationality

e.      Why do you think the thieves who come to rob Jonathan speak English with a heavier African accent than Jonathan does?

The thieves who come to rob Jonathan speak English with a heavier African accent than Jonathan does to show that they were white Americans so that no one could doubt them, and also to prove their superiority.

f.       The title of the story, “Civil Peace” itself is ironical as there is little to differentiate ‘civil peace’ from ‘civil war’. Do you think that the title of this story is appropriate, or would “Civil War” have been a better title? Explain.

The title of the story, “Civil Peace,” is especially interesting because it is used in an ironic sense. The story follows Jonathan Iwegbu as he collects the fragments of his life after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, was a protracted conflict that resulted from a section of Nigeria attempting to secede and form its own country. The war leaves a tremendous amount of destruction in its wake, and Jonathan gathers up what he can to reestablish his life. The title of the story is ironic because even though the war has come to an end, the area is still chaotic and filled with strife. Indeed, a gang of robbers uses the term “civil peace” when they rob Iwegbu and his family in the dead of night. Thus, Achebe uses the title ironically to highlight the violence still present in a post-war Nigeria.

 

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