Marriage is a private affair – A Short Story Analysis

    Marriage is a private affair is about a dad not accepting his son’s marriage because his soon to be bride was not apart from his tribe. Nnaemeka was hesitant on telling his father that he is engaged and planning on marrying another girl. “Yes. They are most unhappy if the engagement is not arranged by them. In our case it’s worse-you are not an Ibo.” (Achebe 23). His father was going to set up Nnaemeka with his neighbour but instead he found a love of his own and his father was not happy about this. For years, his father would not acknowledge his grandchildren or his marriage. (Achebe 29). 

     In many cultures an arranged marriage or marrying within your culture is still a thing. I am Vietnamese-Chinese and growing up my parents wanted me to date or marry someone that was either Vietnamese or Chinese. Although they were not as strict on the idea of me marrying someone that is Vietnamese-Chinese. My parents just want to preserve our culture and be able to communicate with my husband in either Cantonese or Vietnamese because their English is not that good. 

https://www.mediamatic.net/image/2017/2/22/vietnamese_wedding-884017543.jpg%28mediaclass-landscape-large.1df3d6f438769113d26ed8577bc84d61afea2a7e%29.jpg

     In Vietnam, due to the pandemic there are more children being wedded off because of their families struggling situation. In Mai’s situation it was her own decision to get married because she thought it would help her family. But there are many situations where girls are married off. Most of the time these girls are at risk for domestic violence. (Wibawa 2021). 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-20/child-marriages-increase-global-pandemic-covid-19/100195342

     The author is aiming this story towards the younger generations. These days the younger generations want to follow their own path instead of following the path their parents have chosen for them.
    
 In my opinion, I believe that it is an outdated mindset in today’s society forcing your kids into an arranged marriage because not every arranged marriage is a happy one. I would rather marry someone I love than someone I do not know. But I will still seek for approval from my parents.