This presentation will help you understand the story in a easy and crispy manner.

1. SHORT STORY
“MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR”
1950’s
- Chinua Achebe

2. AUTHOR INTRODUCTION
 Born – Nov 16, 1930, Gongola, Nigeria.
 A Nigerian novelist, Poet, Professor
and Critic.
 1958 – first novel “ Things Fall Apart”,
translated into 40 languages.
 Focus – Traditional culture and
Western values.
 Major voice , literary icon – African
Literature.
 Awards- Commonwealth Poetry Prize(
1972) Man Booker international prize
for fiction (2007)

3. Settings
Takes place in Africa , Nigeria , rural r town
and village in Lagos

4. Theme
Father – son relationships.
Tradition v/s personal freedom – love
conquers all.

5. Characters
 Okeke - Nnameka’s father, Ibo tribes, traditionalist.
 Nnameka – Okeke’s son, loves Nene, against traditional beliefs.
 Nene Atang – Loves Nnameka, Good Christian, School teacher, Modern woman.
 Ugoye Nweke – Tomboy, Choosen by Okeke for Nnameka.
 Mandubogwu - Ibo tribes, Practical man, Herbalist.
 Two sons - Nnameka & Nene’s sons, Okeke’s grand children.

6. Summary
 Okeke chooses Ugoye Nweke for Nnameka.
 Nnameka refuses to marry Ugoye Nweke.
 Nnameka loves Nene

7. Okeke’s disagreement
 Okeke disapproves Nene
 She belongs to different tribe
 She is a school teacher
 Working women - against bible

8. Attitude of parent and children
 Feeling of parents when Children go against parent’s wishes
 Feeling of children when parents do not understand them

9. Women of the village
 They expressed differences towards Nene.
 Later they understand Nene
 They realise Nene and Nnameka are most happy couple
 They avoided speaking of Nnameka to Okeke

10. Okeke’s depressions
 He displace his temper at the mention of Nnameka’s name.
 He avoids Nnameka’s invitation to spend leave with them.
 He strains his mind to forget his son.

11. Nene’s Letter
 After 8 years Nene writes to Okeke
 She mentions about grandsons of Okeke
 Vacation – she wont accompany them

12. Okeke’s resolution
 He tried to steel his heart from all emotional appeal.
 Nature takes hand in human fight.(cloud, dust, dry leaves)
 He leaned against window and looked out.
 He was fighting a losing battle.

13. Symbols
 The rain – marks a change of season
 Okeke thinks of grandson
 He imagine them standing sad, forsaken, under harsh angry weather. Shut out of
his house

14. Conclusion
 That night Okeke slept
 He had vague fear that he might die without making it up to them
 MORAL – Forgive and accept each other before it is too late.
Bible also teaches us the same.