Reader's Response to Achebe's Civil Peace

This study aims to explore the personal interpretation of the reader of the short story "Civil Peace" using Norman Holland's Reader's Response vehicle. The study is based on a qualitative method, where the text of the story is subjected to the reader's interpretation to identify personality traits, familiar character traits, familiar plot events, and familiar settings. Findings reveal that the reader's interpretation is highly influenced by the major character of the story, Jonathan Iwegbu. The reader connects himself with Iwegbu at the first stage. In the second stage, Iwegbu's struggle seems similar to that of a person the reader knows, Ahmad. In the third stage, Iwegbu's response at moments of miracles and crises connects the reader with events in his personal life, showing unity with this character. Lastly, the reader appreciates Achebe's use of vernacular language as the best tool to depict real events in a realistic style. This study is a significant contribution to the current literature, providing insights into the reader's experience of "Civil Peace.