Read the passage from "Marriage Is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe. On the second evening of his return from Lagos Nnaemeka s
at with his father under a cassia tree. This was the old man’s retreat where he went to read his Bible when the parching December sun had set and a fresh, reviving wind blew on the leaves. "Father,” began Nnaemeka suddenly, "I have come to ask for forgiveness.” "Forgiveness? For what, my son?” he asked in amazement. "It’s about this marriage question.” "Which marriage question.” "I can’t—we must—I mean it is impossible for me to marry Nweke’s daughter.” "Impossible? Why?” asked his father. "I don’t love her.” "Nobody said you did. Why should you?” he asked. "Marriage today is different . . .” "Look here, my son,” interrupted his father, "nothing is different. What one looks for in a wife are a good character and a Christian background.” Nnaemeka saw there was no hope along the present line of argument. What does this passage reveal about the cultural environment? Fathers and sons agreed on the importance of good character. Fathers and sons are beginning to have different ideas about what marriage is. Fathers and sons agree that change leads to progress. Fathers and sons have different ideas about whether marriage is a worthwhile goal.
