Love and Tradition in “Marriage Is a Private Affair”

Marriage usages vary gravidly end-to-end the world. In some floricultures, peoples marriages are traditionally lay by their parents. In others cultures, the partners make their own pickax. This diversity in tradition causes many another(prenominal) negates within the family as well as in the culture group. A great case of marriage and its importance to different cultures is the written report by Chinua Achebe, Marriage is a Private Affair. The story takes place in Africa, a country of great cultural diversity.Old traditions continue to mold life in Nigerian villages, where parents often play a crucial role in choosing mates for their children. In the cities, however, modern practices displace many of the village traditions, including the role of parent as a mate finder. The tensity between old and new ways of living sometimes creates conflict within families, especially between generations. The following story focuses on a conflict between a bugger off and son about th e choice of the sons marriage partner. Despite of the strong devotion to the tradition,Okeke the have great deal hardly resist the love of his family. Firstly, the tradition plays a genuinely important role in that story. Okeke is an old man, who lives in a Nigerian village, where the traditions have very important role in peoples lives. He is first introduced to the indorsers from the very beginning of the story in a confabulation between Nene and Nnaemeka. Although this conversation reveals little about his character, we think of him as an authoritarian father. And, as a traditional Ibo, he does not digest the couples engagement.For example, They are most unhappy if the engagement is not arranged by them (258) shows Nnaemeka fear of his fathers disapproval of their marriage. As a result, the conversation between Okeke and his son shows both Okekes deep disappointment and firm objection. later on this conversation Okeke does not talk to his son for eight years. This is anoth er example of Okekes loyalty of his peoples tradition. As a result, he never accepts his sons wife I shall never light upon her (260). Okekes actions show the reader that the tradition is stronger than amily relationships. On the other hand, despite of Okekes cold description in the first part of the story, he changes his thoughts after he reads the letter from Nene. Nene, his daughter-in-law, sends him a letter and the night after he reads the letter, Achebe points out that Okeke hardly slept from remorse and a vague fear that he might die without making it up to his grandchildren (262). This conclusion to the story hints that the grandchildren would necessitate these two generations back together again.In conclusion, this story is a great example of the strong traditions in different cultures that can be halt only with the great power of a loving family. Nnaemekas father was so devoted to the tradition to understand his sons feelings or the consequences of having grandchildren that he would might never know. The letter that informs him about his grandsons breaks him down and lets the reader think of the happy ending of the story. Achebe teaches us to realize that love can conquer even the strongest traditions.