Who Am I? The history of colonialism evidently shows the separation between the indigenous society of Africa versus the highly developed society of Europe. European colonists considered themselves to be more superior than their colored brethren and found that it was their job to help their primitive brothers to develop a better way of life—to follow Christianity. Along this line of separation includes the stark differences in culture and traditional values that each of these separate worlds hold. Europeans viewed Igbo practices as strange and incorrect whereas the Igbo viewed European religion as demonic and harmful to their way of life. However, the short story “Marriage Is a Private Affair” by Chinua Achebe involves the mixture of indigenous
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The indigenous world, compared to its highly developed counterpart, is viewed as primitive in cultural and traditional value. As a result, the European colonists found that it was there responsibility to correct their inferior brothers to a better way of life—Christianity. However, in the case of Chinua Achebe’s short story “Marriage Is a Private Affair,” the opposing cultural values resonate and unify in one man by the name of Okeke. Although Okeke tries to stay faithful to his Igbo roots, he also falls fervently into Christianity, a prominent religion that represents the Western society. By analyzing his views on marriage, religion, women and children, readers can conclude that Okeke is neither a devout Christian nor a devout Igbo that he claims to be, but both. It is possible that Achebe’s purpose of writing this story is to show that man is not really different from one another. The era of colonialism drew a definitive line between Europeans and Africans, mostly showing that Europeans were more dominant and superior towards the Africans. However, the existence of Okeke’s character illustrates the contrary of the conflict between the two cultures. This man is able to hold the values of these opposing worlds, showing that these values can live in harmony in spite of their differences. Achebe’s ultimate goal of the story is to show that although there exists these differences, these cultures can mix and intertwine with each other just as they have in Okeke. This fact is further proven as Christian tradition is mixed with the Igbo tradition, “[leading] to the development of the Aladura Church” (“Nigeria,” Curry)
The indigenous world, compared to its highly developed counterpart, is viewed as primitive in cultural and traditional value. As a result, the European colonists found that it was there responsibility to correct their inferior brothers to a better way of life—Christianity. However, in the case of Chinua Achebe’s short story “Marriage Is a Private Affair,” the opposing cultural values resonate and unify in one man by the name of Okeke. Although Okeke tries to stay faithful to his Igbo roots, he also falls fervently into Christianity, a prominent religion that represents the Western society. By analyzing his views on marriage, religion, women and children, readers can conclude that Okeke is neither a devout Christian nor a devout Igbo that he claims to be, but both. It is possible that Achebe’s purpose of writing this story is to show that man is not really different from one another. The era of colonialism drew a definitive line between Europeans and Africans, mostly showing that Europeans were more dominant and superior towards the Africans. However, the existence of Okeke’s character illustrates the contrary of the conflict between the two cultures. This man is able to hold the values of these opposing worlds, showing that these values can live in harmony in spite of their differences. Achebe’s ultimate goal of the story is to show that although there exists these differences, these cultures can mix and intertwine with each other just as they have in Okeke. This fact is further proven as Christian tradition is mixed with the Igbo tradition, “[leading] to the development of the Aladura Church” (“Nigeria,” Curry)