The title of Chinua Achebe's short story "Marriage Is a Private Affair" is an example of verbal irony. The marriage of Nnaemeka and Nene is the direct opposite of private. It is debated in Nnaemeka's childhood village and among the Ibo who live and work in Lagos, and so the idea of "fixing" Nnaemeka is discussed. In the village, the Ibo men sympathize with Okeke's position and agree that his son has betrayed him by...
The title of Chinua Achebe's short story "Marriage Is a Private Affair" is an example of verbal irony. The marriage of Nnaemeka and Nene is the direct opposite of private. It is debated in Nnaemeka's childhood village and among the Ibo who live and work in Lagos, and so the idea of "fixing" Nnaemeka is discussed. In the village, the Ibo men sympathize with Okeke's position and agree that his son has betrayed him by marrying outside their ethnic group. One man cites the Bible, saying, "Sons shall rise against their Fathers," and a man named Madubogwu suggests that Nnaemeka must be sick. The man tells Okeke that he should consult a native doctor. He claims that Nnaemeka's mind is diseased and what he needs is an herbal medicine called "Amalile." The medicine is used to bring "straying" husbands back to their wives. Okeke rejects the idea and indicates that Nnaemeka is free to do what he wants. Even though Okeke can sometimes be entrenched in the old ways, he is often more progressive than his "superstitious neighbors." He eventually disowns his son for eight years, but Achebe hints that the relationship may be resumed after Okeke learns that Nnaemeka has two sons from the marriage.
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