The marriage in the city of Logos of Nneameka and Nene is against the custom of the bridegroom's village by cutting across religious tribal and family beliefs. Everything is against Nane: She comes from Lagos, She is not an Ibo and she is a school teacher. Such on event has never happened in the history of the village. The opposition is express by Mnaemeka's father, who, after the event rejects any kinds of compromise. The villagers propose various suggestions but he reject them all. Even after eight years there has been no change in the father. But when a letter from his daughter in law arrives telling him about unknown grandson, his strong resistance being to grow weaker. And he feels sorry and imagines that he has left his grandson outside in the raring weather.
INTERPRETATION
This story might be trying to tell us that marriage is a private affair and that the society should no go against the wishes of the marriage partner. Such a marriage life is happier than the life of those who are marriage traditionally. If may also be interpreted to mean that in a rapidly changing society the open conflict of the first and the second generation is resolved through the innocent third generation.
CRITICAL THINKING
This story questions the custom of arrange marriage by showing the prejudice (narrow minded) against inter-tribal marriage and calls for acceptance and understanding to protect and institutions believed to be the foundation of society. This beautiful story represents the traditional society all over the world. The writer presents this as a victory of natural forces of kin and affection over custom. The society gradually changes and the older generation has to accept the new situation slowly. I did not find any weakness in this story
ASSIMILATION
After reading this story I understood myself and my father batter. In our society fathers are like Okeke, and sons revolt against fathers if they do not accept their son's desire. This story has encouraged us to find out a marriage partner who will have all the good qualities of Nene or Nnaemeka. Only does an educated partner make a marriage life happy.
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