Marriage Is A Private Affair Theme

According to the theme of a piece of
literature is "the central and dominating idea in a literary work." In the case of
"," the main themes are family and tradition. In fact, we can combine these themes
into one truth that resonates in the story: family trumps tradition. Okeke spends much of the
plot being upset with his son's marriage to Nene because she does not share their Ibo culture in
their native Nigeria. There is an eight-year hiatus where father and son do not see each other
at all. During this time, Nnaemeka and Nene continue with their happy marriage and begin their
new family by having two sons. The sons are the characters who insist on seeing their
grandfather, Okeke. When he hears about his grandsons' wishes through a letter from Nene, Okeke
is drawn to the prospect of family that he has neglected. Okeke becomes filled with regret and
is afraid that "he might die without making it up to them." Even though the story ends
before Okeke meets his grandsons, the reunion seems assured.