This story was set in the 1970s, in Africa where the population has always been vast. Africa is the second most populous continent in the world with 57 countries and over 3000 languages. With the continent being so diverse, arranged marriage is definitely still a relevant topic, as well as in other areas of the world. The story puts a negative perspective on arranged marriages like how Nnaemeka’s father disowned him. According to an article “Converting Culture: Reading Chinua Achebe’s “Marriage is a Private Affair” In Light of Barnard Lonergan’s Theology of Conversion” Okeke disowned Nnaemeka because he refused to accept the marriage he had already arranged for him. He also became angry because his son did not consult with him about his engagement.
…show more content…
Paul about women’s place in society. Last but not least, he became shocked into silence because his son had chosen someone who spoke of another language. (Purcell 84; pg. 250) While the father expected for Nnaemeka to follow the traditional Ibibio culture it was apparent that Nnaemeka had strayed away from that culture and had adapted to a more free will culture like that of America due to his living arrangements in Lagos, which they are more open rather than strict. In western areas, like America arranged marriages is more of a foreign topic. Though there are multiple positives as to why an arranged marriage would be a tremendous route, I could not imagine committing the rest of my life to a man whom I know nothing more than his name and social class. In America, the thought of marriage is based on the belief of two people who happen to come together and build trust, become in love, and is committed to one another. True love is something that I believe is rare. And what is even rarer would be finding true love through the eyes of …show more content…
Although, Okeke was feeling remorseful he was trying his hardest not to give in to the acceptance of his son’s betrayal to him and the village. But he couldn’t stop the remorseful feeling and had hoped to reconcile before something bad had happen to him (pg.252-253). Nnaemeka had always been confident that his father would come to his senses one day. He was able to gain his father back while being married to the woman he fell in love with. One must choose the right path for them, “to each his own” as the saying goes. Unfortunately, in some families when you choose love over tradition you may be choosing love over your life. Arranged marriage is amazing in its own sense. When it works that is. But there’s an unexplainable magic to choosing your partner yourself and falling in love with them on your own free will that arrange marriage couples will never experience. So one must ask themselves what do “I” believe? What risks am I willing to take for my belief? Should I agree with my parents or choose my own path? And with that answer their entire future is re-determined. Love based marriage or an arranged
Paul about women’s place in society. Last but not least, he became shocked into silence because his son had chosen someone who spoke of another language. (Purcell 84; pg. 250) While the father expected for Nnaemeka to follow the traditional Ibibio culture it was apparent that Nnaemeka had strayed away from that culture and had adapted to a more free will culture like that of America due to his living arrangements in Lagos, which they are more open rather than strict. In western areas, like America arranged marriages is more of a foreign topic. Though there are multiple positives as to why an arranged marriage would be a tremendous route, I could not imagine committing the rest of my life to a man whom I know nothing more than his name and social class. In America, the thought of marriage is based on the belief of two people who happen to come together and build trust, become in love, and is committed to one another. True love is something that I believe is rare. And what is even rarer would be finding true love through the eyes of …show more content…
Although, Okeke was feeling remorseful he was trying his hardest not to give in to the acceptance of his son’s betrayal to him and the village. But he couldn’t stop the remorseful feeling and had hoped to reconcile before something bad had happen to him (pg.252-253). Nnaemeka had always been confident that his father would come to his senses one day. He was able to gain his father back while being married to the woman he fell in love with. One must choose the right path for them, “to each his own” as the saying goes. Unfortunately, in some families when you choose love over tradition you may be choosing love over your life. Arranged marriage is amazing in its own sense. When it works that is. But there’s an unexplainable magic to choosing your partner yourself and falling in love with them on your own free will that arrange marriage couples will never experience. So one must ask themselves what do “I” believe? What risks am I willing to take for my belief? Should I agree with my parents or choose my own path? And with that answer their entire future is re-determined. Love based marriage or an arranged