Final answer:
In the short story 'Civil Peace,' the concept of conflict is a significant factor that has impacted the story, highlighting the protagonist's challenges during the transition to peacetime and reflecting the broader societal issues in post-war America.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the short story Civil Peace, one significant factor that impacted the story's narrative is the concept of conflict. Within the context of this story, conflict serves as the central theme and is intricately related to the protagonist's journey. The narrative centers around the challenges of peacetime and underscores how, even after the cessation of overt hostilities, characters grapple with the residual effects of war and the struggle to return to civilian life. This is particularly evident as the story delves into the socioeconomic and political aftermath that characters face, reflecting a broader societal turmoil experienced in the wake of conflict.
The struggles of reintegration into society and the quest for normalcy are further compounded by the lingering divisions brought to light by the civil war. This theme of conflict and tension is pervasive and manifests in various aspects of the characters' interactions, demonstrating that peace is not merely the absence of war but a complex, ongoing process of reconciliation and adjustment.
The overarching narrative in Civil Peace thus reveals that civil rights movements and societal reconstruction play critical roles in shaping the post-war reality, influencing individual lives, and transforming the social landscape. This resonates with the broader historical narrative of post-war America where veterans, particularly African Americans, sought to claim the full benefits of citizenship and catalyzed the push for civil rights.