One of the central questions in the story is whether or not Nnaemeka should follow his heart and marry Nene, or whether he should succumb to the wishes of his family and marry a woman chosen for him by his father. Nnaemeka's father, Okeke, is deeply traditional and believes that it is his duty to arrange a suitable marriage for his son. He is furious when he learns that Nnaemeka has chosen to marry Nene, a woman who is not of their tribe, and he threatens to disown Nnaemeka if he goes through with the marriage.
Another important question in the story is whether or not Nnaemeka should compromise his own desires and values in order to maintain a relationship with his family. Nnaemeka is torn between his love for his family and his love for Nene, and he struggles with the decision of whether or not to go against his family's wishes and follow his heart. In the end, Nnaemeka decides to stand up for what he believes in and follow his own path, even if it means going against his family's expectations.
A third question raised in the story is the role of tradition and cultural values in modern society. Okeke is deeply committed to maintaining traditional Igbo customs and values, but his son Nnaemeka is more open to new ideas and ways of thinking. The conflict between the two men highlights the tension that can exist between tradition and change, and raises questions about the role of cultural values in a rapidly changing world.
Overall, Marriage is a Private Affair is a thought-provoking story that tackles important questions about love, family, tradition, and cultural conflict. It encourages readers to consider the role of these issues in their own lives, and to think about what it means to follow one's heart and stand up for what one believes in.
Marriage is a Private Affair Quizzes
In this way, it is the city that wins out over the village, whose traditions are destined to die out if not kept alive by the next generation. To Okeke, after all, part of being a good son is heeding the expectations of your family and your community. Identify and describe Nene. If people fall in love between boy and girl from different culture, they have to solve the things practically. The rains brought a healing touch Okeke realised that it was a mistake on his part to be so harsh towards the family of his son. Okeke is of the strong opinion that the father should have the rights to arrange his son's marriage. Nnaemeka holds fast to the idea that his father will come around, but he underestimates the extent to which Okeke is attached to custom.
For once, his faith, exemplified through the hymn, is not enough to provide him solace and keep him committed to his stance. It can be shocking new to Nnaemeka's father, Okeke. He sets the example of sacrifice and welfare. When Nnaemeka visits his father and tells him that he is going to marry Nene, his father reacts with disbelief. Therefore, after completing my education, I will marry a girl, who studies in my own campus.
His mind Ganges and he spends the night, full of remorse and regret over his undue harshness. For Okeke, Nene was an outcaste but not the sake of the Christianity, Christ's teachings are different from his belief. Find instances of conflict between tradition and modernism ii the story. It is one thing for his son to attempt to marry a woman he does not know and who comes from a world outside of their village, but it is another thing for Nnaemeka to marry a woman who flagrantly and wrongly scorns Christian tenets by becoming a teacher. Okeke does not place importance on a couple having a strong relationship prior to an engagement. When discussing the issue with Nene, Nnaemeka argues that his father will not be pleased because it is his father's duty to arrange a marriage for his son.
But I would assure them that it is my private affair to choose my life-partner and I will always respect parents' self-dignity. Did Okeke relent, forgive his son, and ultimately have a relationship with his estranged family? After their marriage, Nnaemeka's villagers who work in Lagos consider that his wife is from another tribe. His attitude therefore changed. When two people from different background get married, they have to face a lot of problems if they are not practical enough. Because the end of the story does not give a clear account of Okeke's son, daughter-in-law and grandsons visit him or not. In Christianity even animals are treated equally. But they cannot agree with each other so we can say that marriage in Nigeria is not a private affair.
What is the theme of âMarriage is a Private Affairâ by Chinua Achebe?
It is a place to wrestle with and overcome traditional ideas about belonging and marriage. A father is very protective over his son and another father is very protective over his daughter. Arranged marriage and love marriage, brides or grooms do not take responsibilities for marriages. Back in Lagos Nnaemeka marries Nene and the estrangement between the father and the son is complete. This suggests that, while Nnaemeka has betrayed his, Okeke still cares deeply for his son and wants the best for him. What other conflicts exist in the story? Unsurprisingly, Achebe continues to be a source of literary inspiration for a new vanguard of writers in Africa and beyond. Sometimes these influences are explored through religious conflict, and other times through tense interactions among community members caught between traditional and modern, westernized values.
Activity 2.2 Marriage Is a Private Affair Questions Springboard(1) pgs 111
Consequently, the short story should be read with the understanding that Achebe was very much interested in the growing independence movements that were percolating in Nigeria and other nearby African nations. He knows her father, most likely, because he is a member of the community. Then my parents would believe me and accept it. Marriage is a Private Affair Questions 1. Instead of erupting in anger, Okeke keeps his emotions to himself, retiring to his room for the night. Consequently, Nnaemeka must explain to Nene that, according to his village, marriage is not a decision that two individuals make.
Okeke, by contrast, is shocked to learn that his son is willing to dispense with his village's customs after having lived in the city. Achebe also wants to state that marriageable boys and girls should have the rights to choose their partners. Such conflicts take place frequently in our societies also. Only tribal, religious and cultural beliefs are not important; we should change them also according to time and situation. How would your students compare and contrast the two stories that share the exact same title? Growing up listening to the traditional Ibo language and stories from an early age allowed him to develop a strong affinity to his culture, which he continued to appreciate as he learned and became fluent in English. Answer: Nnaemeka's father has fixed a girl for his son. Though some families may dislike it, they accept with the knowledge of national and international scenario.
Ultimately, Nnaemeka chooses the city and Nene over his father and the village. The storm at the end of "Marriage is a Private Affair" is a symbol of the love Okeke withholds from his son after learning of his son's engagement to Nene. In other words, it should be an intimate conversation between father and son. It is clear that Okeke continues to believe in values and practices that were observed by his society. While some villagers claim that Mrs. Achebe later served as the David and Mariana Fisher University professor and professor of African Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
My father got angry and announced that he wouldn't let them to come to our home. Nnaemeka is still his son and nothing can change that. Nene is from another community. Though Nene and Nnaemeka are deeply in love, there is still considerable tension between them due to the fact that they come from different backgrounds. This is the main reason of their misunderstanding that causes conflict between them. She is a stark contrast to Okeke as a parent. Write down a summary of Marriage Is A Private Affair.
Marriage is a Private Affair Summary Questions and Answers
He changed his strong decision and himself. At last, when Nnaemeka shows that he will never change, Okeke dismisses him from his sightâand, ceremonially, from the family and the village. He suffered inwardly, but he could not bring himself to accept the unconventional marriage. While Nene represents the modernity of the city and Okeke represents the traditions and religious scrupulosity associated with rural life, Nnaemeka travels between the village and Lagos, torn between allegiances to his origins and to his new self-conception. In the meantime, the couple are happy and prosperous. On the other hand, majority of Nepalese are Hindus.
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