Civil Peace

"Nothing puzzles God."

Jonathan Iwegbu

Jonathan first uses this phrase, but the narrator adopts and repeats it several times throughout the story. Ultimately, its centrality reflects how well it captures the story's primary conflict, between Jonathan's optimism and the war-torn world in which he lives. Jonathan ultimately succeeds because he is able to ignore matters over which he has very little control, and focus instead on what is in his power.

In one interview, Achebe spoke of the role of God and evil in Ibo society in Southeastern Nigeria, explaining that "the Ibo do not struggle against the fact of imperfection, but believe that it is their duty to make the world a better place through their work. Evil is to be expected and recognized--this is the only way to proceed in the world" (Sanderson 27). Taken in this context, the quote reflects not only Jonathan's temperament but also a cultural perspective that prizes hard work and optimism.