Marriage is a Private Affair
Examine how nnaemeka and okeke are different
Examine nnaemeka and okeke are different
Examine nnaemeka and okeke are different
In the short story "Marriage is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe, Nnaemeka and Okeke are two characters who have different perspectives on marriage and relationships.
Nnaemeka is a young man who has left his village to live in the city. He falls in love with a woman named Nene and decides to marry her. However, he is hesitant to tell his father, Okeke, about his plans because he knows that Okeke would disapprove of his choice of partner. Despite this, Nnaemeka remains steadfast in his decision to marry Nene and is willing to go against his father's wishes.
On the other hand, Okeke is an elderly man who strongly adheres to traditional values and customs. He believes that marriage should only take place between members of the same tribe and that the parents should be involved in the selection of the partner. He is initially shocked and disappointed when he learns about Nnaemeka's plans to marry Nene, who is from a different tribe. Okeke even goes so far as to disown Nnaemeka, refusing to attend his wedding or acknowledge his grandchildren.
Overall, Nnaemeka and Okeke differ in their attitudes towards love and marriage. Nnaemeka values his personal happiness and the love he has found with Nene, while Okeke prioritizes tradition and the approval of his community over his son's individual happiness. Nnaemeka is willing to challenge societal norms and expectations to be with the person he loves, while Okeke is unwilling to deviate from his traditional beliefs and values. This conflict between tradition and individualism is a central theme in the story.