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

In
"Marriage is a Private Affair," Achebe's most effective use ofand symbols helps to
illuminate Okeke's state of mind.

When his son marries against his will and
sends a wedding picture to Okeke, the father's reaction is an intense one.  Okeke sends a terse
response to his son with visceral imagery:  "...But on further thought I decided just to
cut off your wife and send it back to you because I have nothing to do with her. How I wish that
I had nothing to do with you either."   Achebe's use of violent imagery
communicates Okeke's state of mind. It shows the intensity to which the father clings to
tradition.  The symbol of the mutilated picture underscores how Okeke embraces tradition above
all.  The imagery conveyed through Okeke's deliberate words, "cut off your wife," also
shows a dark intensity behind Okeke's adherence to tradition.

Achebe's use of
symbols and imagery to communicate Okeke's internal motivations are also seen at the end of the
story.  He uses weather to bring out another layer to Okeke's emotional intensity:

Very soon it began to rain, the first rain in the year. It came down
in large sharp drops and was accompanied by the lightning and thunder which mark a change of
season. Okeke was trying hard not to think of his two grandsons. But he knew he was now fighting
a losing battle. He tried to hum a favorite hymn but the pattering of large raindrops on the
roof broke up the tune. His mind immediately returned to the children. How could he shut his
door against them? By a curious mental process he imagined them standing, sad and forsaken,
under the harsh angry weathershut out from his house. 

The symbol of rain is used to communicate Okeke's feelings of loss.  The rain shows the
regret he has about keeping his grandchildren distant.  It also shows how Okeke is fearful of
his own mortality.  Rain's symbolism communicates uncertainty and fear, elements that indicate a
very stark change from the defiance Okeke once showed.  Okeke knows he will not live forever and
might have to live with the consequences of his foolish actions. Okeke's clinging to tradition
is now gone.  In its place is insecurity and doubt, enhanced through the imagery of
rain.

The imagery of the large raindrops communicates the urgency of these
feelings.  It is almost as if Okeke feels that he is unable to escape from the folly of his
stubbornness.  The correspondence of the rain pelting the rooftop with lightning and thunder
adds to the emotional timbre.   This "harsh angry weather" goes very far in
communicating Okeke's emotional state at the end of the story.