MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR

MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR

-Chinua Achebe

·        Literal Comprehension:

In this story the famous Nigerian writer Achebe presents about the marriage tradition of Ibo tribe in which marriage is not a private affair. Parents decided the marriage of their son and daughter.

                        Nnameka, A boy from Ibo culture went to do logos town for his study where he met a Christian girl Nene. They both were in love but Nene didn't know about his orthodox Ibo tradition about marriage. In Ibo culture, parents decided the marriage and it should not be outside form heir culture Nene was surprised when she heard it his father would be furious when Nenemeka went to his house but his father Okeke had arranged a girl from Ibo culture of his marriage. Nenemeka denied to get married with girl and informed that he was engaged with a Christian teacher it made his father too furious and him become silent in his anger. Nenemeka left his house, went to logos and got married with Nene. They happy life in the town but his father didn't like to listen at all about them. When they sent their marriage photos he denied accepting. After some years, they had babies and once Nene wrote letter to okeke that his grandchildren liked to see his face. Okeke also throughout it was the time to play with grandchildren as his friends. He felt that he would die before to see his grandchildren. It was started to rain, Okeke felt that his grandchildren would wet in the room. This shows that he would call them to his house back.

·        Interpretation:

This story tells us marriage should be a private affair. IT also shows that us should not stick towards our tradition and culture because if we couldn't change our tradition according to the time, we can't get happiness. Here, Okeke couldn't change his traditional attitude of Ibo culture and he gave trouble to others and he also got pain him self. So we should keep borders prospective and we should learn to accept the change. At last Okeke also had to accept the change.

·        Critical Thinking:

This story presents the tradition of Ibo culture of Nigeria. There are some issues which we can't accept easily. How could be a father so rude towards his son? How could he forget him? All parents love their children. At the end also, Okeke could have accepted them for his own need because he was going to be old and he needed the economic support.

·        Assimilation:

This story reminded me the Nepalese arrange marriage tradition. IN Nepal also, parents didn't like to accept the marriage outside from their caste and culture. Parents decide for the marriage of their son and daughter love marriage is not taken as positively. Parents seem to accept. The love marriage of their son and daughter though they become angry for some months or years.