Marriage is a Private Affair

by

Chinua Achebe

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The Ibo (or Igbo) are an ethnic group native to Southern Africa, primarily concentrated in rural southeastern Nigeria. Achebe, the author of “Marriage is a Private Affair,” is an Ibo chieftain, and many of his writings focus on the clash between his native culture and modernized Western influences. In the story, Nnaemeka, his father Okeke, and the rest of their village are Ibo people. The Ibo language is part of the Niger-Congo language family and is divided into many different regional dialects. Although the Ibo people are widely varied in their language, cultural practices, and traditions, they are united by their predominantly Christian faith. Those who live in rural villages like Okeke’s are primarily craftsmen; traders; and farmers of yams, cassava, and taro.

Ibo Quotes in Marriage is a Private Affair

The Marriage is a Private Affair quotes below are all either spoken by Ibo or refer to Ibo. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Urban vs. Rural Spaces Theme Icon
).
Marriage Is A Private Affair Quotes

At last she said, “You don’t really mean that he will object to your marrying me simply on that account? I had always thought you Ibos were kindly disposed to other people.”

Related Characters: Nene Atang (speaker), Nnaemeka, Okeke / Nnaemeka’s Father
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
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Marriage is a Private Affair PDF

Ibo Term Timeline in Marriage is a Private Affair

The timeline below shows where the term Ibo appears in Marriage is a Private Affair. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Marriage Is A Private Affair
Urban vs. Rural Spaces Theme Icon
...by them,” they find it even more concerning when the woman is “not even an Ibo.” (full context)
Urban vs. Rural Spaces Theme Icon
Family, Love, and Marriage Theme Icon
...the news after all. She tries to reconcile this possibility with her long-held belief that “Ibos were kindly disposed to other people.” Nnaemeka, however, reminds her that this particular belief about... (full context)
Urban vs. Rural Spaces Theme Icon
Family, Love, and Marriage Theme Icon
Meanwhile in Lagos, Nene and Nnaemeka face prejudice from Ibos there as well. Though the women aren’t openly mean to Nene, they pay “her such... (full context)