Marriage is a Private Affair

As the protagonist of the story, Nnaemeka represents the younger generation in Nigeria who struggle to reconcile traditional values with modern attitudes and beliefs. Through Nnaemeka’s character, Achebe explores themes of identity, family obligation, love, and the conflict between tradition and modernity.

Nnaemeka is initially introduced as a young man who is living in Lagos with his fiancée and pursuing his own dreams and aspirations. He is independent-minded and has a strong desire to make his own choices in life, which puts him at odds with his father, Okeke, who is a traditionalist and holds strict views on marriage and cultural customs. Despite this conflict, Nnaemeka is portrayed as a loving and respectful son who deeply values his family and their traditions.

Although he is deeply respectful of his father, Nnaemeka is willing to challenge traditional norms and his father’s expectations in pursuit of his own happiness. This is most evident in his decision to marry Nene, a woman who is not from their tribe, and thus not chosen by Okeke for his son. Nnaemeka’s defiance of his father’s wishes highlights his determination to live his life on his own terms and to assert his own identity in the face of cultural pressure.