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. in 1 paragraph, Compare these two stories by looking at how the personalities of the young men and their fathers help to shape the eventual outcomes.
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In both "Marriage Is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe and "A Meeting in the Dark" by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, the personalities of the young men and their fathers play crucial roles in shaping the eventual outcomes of the stories. In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," Nnaemeka is portrayed as a more modern and independent thinker, willing to challenge traditional values and customs. On the other hand, his father, Okeke, represents the traditional mindset, deeply rooted in cultural values and expectations. This clash of ideologies leads to conflict and a tense relationship between father and son. However, ultimately, Nnaemeka's love for his fiancée and his determination to seek his own happiness prevail, and he marries regardless of his father's disapproval. Similarly, in "A Meeting in the Dark," John is depicted as a young man yearning for independence and eager to break free from his strict father's expectations. His father symbolizes authority, rigidity, and an unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives. John's desire to marry Wamuhu, a woman from a different ethnic background, only exacerbates the tension between him and his father. The outcome of the story is bittersweet, as John succumbs to societal pressure and abandons his love to conform to his father's will. Hence, the contrasting personalities of the young men and their fathers greatly influence the eventual outcomes of the stories, reflecting the conflict between the old and the new, tradition and modernity.
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