Question

Read the excerpt from "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe.

As soon as the pound notes were placed in his palm Jonathan simply closed it tight over them and buried fist and money inside his trouser pocket. He had to be extra careful because he had seen a man a couple of days earlier collapse into near-madness in an instant before that oceanic crowd because no sooner had he got his twenty pounds than some heartless ruffian picked it off him.

What is the theme conveyed in this passage?

Money should be hidden in one’s pocket.
Sometimes a blessing can be a burden.
A thief stole a man’s much-needed money.
Crowds of people can never be trusted.

Answer 1

"Sometimes a blessing can be a burden."

Explanation: Jonathan's carefulness and the example of the man who went mad after his twenty pounds were stolen show that receiving money (a blessing) also brings worry and risk (a burden). The passage highlights the anxiety and danger that can accompany a sudden gain.