Civil Peace - Plot Summary

Plot Summary

The story starts off in eastern Nigeria after the civil war has ended. The protagonist even was able to keep his bike which he turns into a taxi to make money. In two weeks he made 150 pounds. Jonathan then travels to Enugu to search for his home, and to his surprise it is still standing when other structures around it are demolished. The house needs some repairs so Jonathan finds some supplies around and hires a carpenter to fix his house. He then moves his family back in. The entire family works hard to earn money and rebuild their lives. The children pick mangoes and Maria makes akara balls to sell. After finding that his job as a miner isn't a possibility he decides to open a bar for soldiers that is run out of his house. Then the night after Jonathan gets an "egg rasher" (a butchered pronunciation of the Latin ex gratia, exchanged worthless rebel currency for 20 pounds legitimate currency) a large group of robbers show up at his house demanding 100 pounds. When Jonathan replies that he doesn't have that much money, the robbers break in and take the 20 pounds anyway. After they take the money, life goes on as usual for Jonathan because 'Nothing Puzzles God', which means that the robbery has a greater meaning in God's eyes than how it seemed to Jonathan.

Read more about this topic:  Civil Peace

Famous quotes containing the words plot and/or summary:

    The plot! The plot! What kind of plot could a poet possibly provide that is not surpassed by the thinking, feeling reader? Form alone is divine.
    Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)

    I have simplified my politics into an utter detestation of all existing governments; and, as it is the shortest and most agreeable and summary feeling imaginable, the first moment of an universal republic would convert me into an advocate for single and uncontradicted despotism. The fact is, riches are power, and poverty is slavery all over the earth, and one sort of establishment is no better, nor worse, for a people than another.
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)