ians wanted to be educated in the western way, but at the same time wanted to live in their traditional style. This brought conflict and war between families and villages. Critics believe that much of Achebes writing flourishes from his richly diverse background. Achebes background is very clearly where a large part of his writing comes from. Achebes diverse background is that of colonial authority, Christianity, African social customs, and the traditional religion of his village. As one reads any of his novels all of these things most obviously contribute greatly to the plot of his writings (Syverson). The way in which Achebe uses his personal experiences and background in his writing is displayed in his short story Civil Peace. The story is about a family rebuilding their lives after a war has ended. The family returns to their village only to discover that their meek, little house is still standing strong, but the big, luxurious house, built by a far more affluent man has crumbled to the ground. After explaining this, Achebe writes, indeed nothing puzzles god. This statement not only shows the importance of spiritual life in their culture, but also informs the reader as to what god means to them. When the rich mans house is destroyed and the less wealthy mans house remained, it shows god does not care how rich one is or how big ones house is, everyone is the same in gods eyes. It is this philosophy these people live by. This story portrays the many characteristics of war and its aftermath. These characteristics are all based around one idea, when war breaks out everyone suddenly hold the same values. The most important thing suddenly becomes their own lives and the lives of their loved ones. Wealth, possessions and social class no longer matter. This comes out in the story many times, the first being when Achebe writes, He had come out of the war with five inestimable blessings --- his head, his wife Marias head and heads of three ou...
