MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR | Four Levels

Four Levels of " Marriage Is A Private Affair ". "Marriage Is A Private Affair" was written by Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe. Chinua Achebe was born in Nigeria in 1930. He attended the University of Ibadan. In 1958, his pioneering novel "Things Fall Apart" was published. It went on to sell more than 12 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages. Achebe later served as the David and Mariana Fisher University professor and professor of African Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Also Read:

1. Summary Of "Marriage Is A Private Affair"

2. Introduction and Word Meanings Of "Marriage Is A Private Affair"

3. Question And Answers Of "Marriage Is A Private Affair"

Four Levels Of Marriage Is A Private Affair:

1. Literal Comprehension: This chapter deals with cross-cultural studies. In this story, a Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe talks about a marriage incident as a cross-cultural problem. Okeke's son Nnaemeka is engaged to marry Nene a Christian girl and she is not from his tribe and she is a teacher. But his father has chosen another girl from his own tribe for his son. In his culture parents decide about the marriage. Inter-caste marriage is not acceptable in Nnaemeka's Ibo culture. Sohis father tries to persuade his son not to marry her, but Nnaemeka remains strict to marry Nene. Okeke abandons his son as a lost matter and possess no more interested in him. But their prejudice becomes less when they realize that Nnaemeka and Nene are most happy and successful couple. But his father does not know anything about his son until Nene writes a letter to him saying that his two gran-sons want to see him. Then he tries hard to forget them but he can't. His mind and spirit wants to see them. Now he relizes his mistake and defeats in this matter and accepts them. Then he replies that he is ready to meet them. In this way, love affection and personal interest as well as love of children is more powerful than culture and tradition; no tribal rule can stop today's people from love and marriage.

2. Interpretation: This story is the example of the incidents that take place every day in our societies too. Here, the writer has depicted a very common social problem of religious and tribal groups in the underdeveloped countries. As this is a story from Nigeria, it is an example of cultural differences of their society. Nnaemeka is engaged to marry a teacher, Nene, who is a Christian. But his father has chosen another girl of his own tribe for his son. In his culture an elder member of the family decides whom a man is to marry. Nene is from another tribe. To marry an outsider is unheard in Nnaemeka's Ibo culture which is very common in our society. So, his father is shocked and worried. He tries to persuade his son not to marry her, but Nnaemeka is determined to marry Nene. Then he gives up his son and is no more interested in him. Even his villagers do not accept this marriage, but their prejudice becomes less when they realize that Nnaemeka and Nene are a most happy couple. But his father does not know anything about his son until Nene writes a letter to him saying that his two grand-sons want to see him. Then he tries hard to forget them but he can't. He is interested to see his grand-sons and realizes his mistake and he is ready to welcome them whole heartedly as soon as possible.

3. Critical Thinking: Such Type of social and cultural incidents are very common in our societies also. In many societies, love, engagement, marriage, etc. are possible only in their similar castes. Okeke, socially and religiously opposes his son's marriage to Nene because she is from a different tribe. But at last he is changed, he changed his attitude and decision. In fact he becomes progressive and he ignores religion and culture and accepts his grand-sons. He loves those whom he has not seen at all. Humanity lies in his heart which compels him to accept them. He realizes that he should not have seen differences in humans. He should have known the equality for all the human-beings.He should have come out of the narrow thinking of their culture and society. Therefore, he gathered courage to avoid the barriers of society and accepted his son, daughter-in-law and grand-sons.

4. Assimilation: Religions and culture are different in terms of differences in castes but humanity and love cannot be different. Love for children cannot be ignored. After reading this, I really felt the humanity lies in every human heart. Okeke finally accepted the marriage. He silently accepted his grand-sons. I found the saying, 'love of interest is greater than the principle true'.Okeke accepts his son and daughter-in-law but he cannot ignore his grand -sons. This story memorized me some such incidents in my societies also. There are such many societies who have tribal, social, cultural and religious rules and regulations but they are not solely followed by new generations because the narrow boundaries are not accepted in today's world.

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FOUR LEVELS OF "MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR"