In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," a short story by Chinua Achebe, Nnameka's father, Okeke, is portrayed as being quite traditional and having strong opinions about marriage, particularly concerning the expectations of arranged marriages within their Igbo culture. Okeke strongly disapproves of Nnameka's choice to marry outside of the traditional customs, as he feels that marriage should adhere to the cultural practices and expectations of their society.
Throughout the story, Okeke does attempt to persuade Nnameka to reconsider his decision and to embrace the traditional values that he holds dear. However, Nnameka ultimately chooses to follow his own path, valuing personal happiness and love over societal expectations. This conflict between tradition and individual choice is central to the story and highlights the generational differences in perspectives on marriage.
Ultimately, while Okeke does try to persuade Nnameka, it is clear that the younger generation is seeking autonomy in their marital choices, leading to a poignant exploration of change within cultural practices.
1 answer