Write about the following short story

Marriage Is a Private Affair

Marriage is a private affair . Probably , as for most of us , we would take it for granted . But as for some people , this is not a common idea at all . The idea that individuals have the right to decide on their own about their marriage can be even considered rebellious to the tradition of the country and the people . And this is what Okeke , the main character in the short story Marriage Is a Private Affair ' of Chinua Achebe , thinks about his son 's marriage when the son

decides to choose his own wife , instead of his father 's choice . Okeke , as it seems to us is definitely a strong devotee of his people 's traditions . However , he is at the same time an ordinary father who can hardly resist the love of his family 's members

Okeke was first introduced to the readers through the talk between a man- Okeke 's son- and his fiancy . From that very first beginning , though little has been revealed about him , we might think of him as an authoritarian father . And , as a traditional Ibo , he won 't accept the couple 's engagement for sure . Details like : I wish I were sure it would be happiness to him (Achebe 56 , They are most unhappy if the engagement is not arranged by them . In our case , it 's worse - you are not even an Ibo (56 , or A letter will bring it upon him with a sock (57 ) are hints of a stormy angry when ever Okeke knows about his son 's private affair of marriage . Moreover , through his letter for his son , he has already chosen a girl for him , which sounds like a firm final settlement for his son 's marriage . However , the talk between him and his son turns out to be not as violent as we and the son have expected . Instead of getting mad , Okeke just keeps silent and merely walked away into his room (58 . This seems to be a mild reaction , it 's in fact more menacing than a flood of threatening speech (58 because it shows both Okeke 's deep disappointment and firm objection Since that day , the father scarcely spoke to his son (58 ) for eight years , and he always displayed so much temper whenever his son 's name was mentioned (59 . Up to this point , we 're definitely sure that Okeke is a very loyal and steadfast follower of his people 's tradition , and he has finally decided to reject his son instead . Certainly , the intention of accepting his son 's wife will never be brought up to his mind once he has clearly stated : It is Satan 's work ' and I shall never see her (58

Okeke 's reactions make him seem to us a very rigid , rude , and even cold-blooded father whose mind can 't be changed . However , this would be a very superficial judgment to make upon him . Yet heartless as he seems he 's at...