Marriage Is a Private Affair

by Chinua Achebe

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Marriage Is a Private Affair Questions and Answers

What is the theme of “Marriage is a Private Affair” by Chinua Achebe?

What is the main conflict in the story "Marriage Is a Private Affair"? The story establishes a conflict between Okeke’s traditional values and Nene’s cosmopolitan values. What details does Achebe include to universalize this opposition and suggest it is not confined to Nigerian society?

What is the irony of the title "Marriage Is a Private Affair"? 

What is the tone of "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

What do pieces such as “Marriage Is a Private Affair” and the excerpt from Nectar in a Sieve demonstrate about the influence of modern ideas and modern ways on traditional cultures? How are the characters in these works affected by the modernization of their respective societies?

How does the story "Marriage is a Private Affair" depict the superstition prevalent in the orthodox African society?

In "Marriage is a Private Affair", what is the Okeke's internal conflict?

What beliefs cause moral dilemmas to develop for Nnaemeka and Okeke in "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

Why does Okeke oppose Nnaemeka's choice of a wife?

What is the central idea of the story "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

Identify where there is hope in Nene's letter to Okeke at the end of "Marriage is a Private Affair."

Justify the title of "Marriage is a Private Affair."

How does the short story "Marriage Is a Private Affair" depict the conflict between two different generations?

Explain the significance of Achebe's title in his short story, "Marriage is a Private Affair."

Near the end of the story "Marriage is a Private Affair," the narrator comments, “It was one of those rare occasions when nature takes a hand in a human fight” (lines 179–180) What sort of literary devices are used in this quotation?

What kind of woman is Nene? Describe her in detail. 

What characteristics does Okeke require in a wife for his son?    

What is the significance of Mrs. Ochuba and Amalile in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

Why does Okeke object to his son's marriage in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?    

How would you describe Okeke's personality in "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

What ethnic difference separates Nnaemeka and Nene in "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

What enables the father's mind to change in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

Compare and contrast the characters of Nnaemeka and Okeke.

Why is the changing weather mentioned in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

Why does Nnaemeka want to tell his father about their engagement in person?

What does Okeke do when his son sends him a wedding photo?

Who is the main character in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

Why does Nene think Nnaemeka should write to his father?  

What is Nnaemeka's argument about marriage in "Marriage is a Private Affair"? What points does Nnaemeka's father make to counter his son's argument?

What is the main conflict of "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

What attitude does Nene display toward Nnaemeka's cultural upbringing in "Marriage Is a Private Affair"? What words reveal this attitude?

At the end of "Marriage Is a Private Affair," what does Okeke's decision reveal about Achebe's thoughts on African traditions?

In "Marriage is a Private Affair," what do the neighbors say about the son's behavior?

What are some imagery and symbols used in "Marriage is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe?

What is the exposition in the short story "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

Why does Nnaemeka refuse to write a letter to his father in "Marriage Is a Private Affair"?

For Marriage Is a Private Affair, how do I find the climax, falling action, denouement, rising action and introduction and put them in order?

What risk does Nene take?  

Why does Okeke have trouble sleeping at the end of the story?

What are the criteria for a good wife according to Okeke in "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

Examine how Nnaemeka and his father are different.

In "Marriage Is a Private Affair," compare and contrast the father's first reaction to his son's marrying with his attitude at the end of the story.

How has living in the city changed Nnaemeka's attitudes towards the old tribal ways?

Which character do you think is the most sympathetically portrayed?  

What is the relationship between father and son in Achebe's "Marriage is a Private Affair?"

What are some of the literary devices used in Chinua Achebe's "Marriage is a Private Affair"?

What is the historical background of Marriage is a private affair?

Referring to "Marriage is a Private Affair," describe how a father's love for his son and his grandsons overcame his deep-rooted prejudices.

In Marriage is a Private Affair, in examining Nene and her reaction to her father-in-law, how can she be similar to women of today's generation?

In "Marriage is a Private Affair," how do the Ibo women in Lagos treat Nene?