In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," young men fret that their fathers will disapprove of their potential wives. in1-2 paragraphs, Compare these two stories by looking at how the personalities of the young men and their fathers help to shape the eventual outcomes.

Answer 1

In "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and "A Meeting in the Dark," the young men and their fathers play crucial roles in shaping the eventual outcomes of the stories. In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," the young man, Nnaemeka, is portrayed as a progressive and independent thinker. He challenges the traditional beliefs held by his father, Okeke, and insists on marrying the woman he loves, despite knowing that his father would disapprove. Okeke, on the other hand, embodies the old-fashioned values and traditions of his culture. He firmly believes that marriage should be arranged within the community, following their customs. The tension between the open-mindedness of Nnaemeka and the conservative mindset of Okeke causes a divide in their relationship, leading to Okeke disowning his son. However, in the end, with the arrival of Nene's children, Okeke's love for his grandchildren transcends his rigid beliefs, and he begins to reconsider his previous stance on marriage.

In "A Meeting in the Dark," the young man, John, also fears his father's disapproval of his potential wife. However, in this story, the relationship between John and his father is not as well-developed and explored as in "Marriage Is a Private Affair." John is depicted as an ambitious and rebellious young man, willing to defy his father's expectations. He falls in love with a woman from a different social class, further adding to his unease about his father's reaction. Despite his inner conflict, John ultimately decides to elope with his lover without confronting his father, showing his fear of facing disapproval directly. The personality and presence of John's father are not as prominent in the narrative, making the shaping of the outcome less dependent on their relationship dynamics.

Overall, the personalities of the young men and their fathers play pivotal roles in determining the outcomes of the stories. The clash of values, beliefs, and generational gaps between the young men and their fathers leads to significant conflicts and challenges. However, while the resolution in "Marriage Is a Private Affair" portrays a potential reconciliation between the two generations, "A Meeting in the Dark" leaves the conclusion more open-ended, focusing more on the internal struggles of the protagonist.