“Marriage is a Private Affair”
Directions: Answer the following questions on notebook paper, using complete
sentences and skipping a line between each answer.
1. Identify the point of view as 1st Person, 3rd Person Limited, or 3rd Person Omniscient.
3rd person omniscient
2. Identify the setting.
The setting is in Ibo tribe country
3. Why is the setting of this story crucial?
The setting of this story helps explains the traditions and beliefs mentioned in the
story that we don’t comprehend as well as why there is a problem in the first place.
4. What is the primary conflict in this story? Is it an example of internal or external
conflict?
The primary conflict is that Okeke will not accept or approve of his son’s
marriage can be seen as both external and internal. You have Okeke with the internal
problem of accepting his son and at the same time having an external conflict between his
son about his choice in who he married.
5. What other conflicts exist in the story?
The. Conflict between tradition and today’s society
6. Who is the protagonist of the story?
Okeke
7. To what extent do the traits of the characters lead to conflict?
You have Okeke who believes in the traditions of his people while his son
Nnaemek doesn’t believe in the traditions thus resulting in problems.
8. Identify and describe Nnaemeka.
Nnaemeka is the son of Okeke and is part of the Ibo tribe and is marrying Nene.
9. Identify and describe Nene.
Nene is Nnaemeka’s wife and is the one Okeke doesn’t want Nnaemeka to marry.
10. Describe Okeke.
Okeke devout Ibo tribesmen who still believes in the traditions of his kind but still
cares for his son despite his actions.
11. To what extent does this story lead to a generalization about life? What is the central
idea or theme of this story?
The overall idea about life is that you should let others dictate who you can live
your life because if others care about you, they’ll respect your decision. With themes of
traditions and modernity.
12. At the beginning of the story, is Nnaemeka justified in not revealing the contents of
the letter from his father to Nene?
In the sense of his relationship with Nene it’s not justified because they’re getting
married even when you’re dating someone you don’t want to keep things hidden from
each other so to be getting married and still keep things hidden isn’t a good thing.
13. While it is commonly assumed that marriages are based on love, for what other
reasons do people marry? Are these reasons justifiable? Explain your answer.
If my knowledge of history has told me about this it can range from a sign of
diplomatic unity between two countries, an alliance between families, or prearranged
marriages by parents for their kids due to tradition. In any case they can be seen as
justified however for me it depends on if the marriage is okay with the people who are
getting married and not just with the people who arranged it.
14. Is it ever appropriate to disown a child? Explain your answer.
No whether it be because it not moral since they’re your flesh and blood. They
don’t have to be exactly like you or belief in the same things. They are just in your debt
for all you’ve done for them. You can also look at historic times because if you do you’ve
given yourself a target on your back and being killed or overthrown by your own son
isn’t very favorable.
15. How might the rain at the end of the story be symbolic?
The rain at the end of the story could be symbolic of Okeke remorse and regret
about his decision to give up on his son and not be there for him as his father.
16. Why did Okeke believe that Ugoye Nweke was a suitable match for his son?
She was the eldest daughter of their neighbor and has a proper Christian
upbringing which is perfect because of tribal tradition since marrying someone in a
neighboring tribe bonds them together as allies not because he believes they be good
lovers.