In “Marriage is a Private Affair” the theme of change and tradition is central to the story and is exemplified in the fraught relationship between Nnaemeka and his father, Okeke.

The narrative explores the tension between the old traditional ways of life and the newer, more modern ideas of the younger generation. The story is set in Nigeria and follows the character of Nnaemeka, who experiences the struggle between following his heart and marrying the woman he loves or adhering to the traditional ways of his tribe and marrying a woman of his father’s choosing.

Nnaemeka represents the forces of change in the story. He has been educated in the city and has embraced modern ideas about love and marriage. He falls in love with a woman named Nene, who is not from his tribe and is therefore not approved of by his father. Nnaemeka wants to marry Nene and is willing to break with tradition and face the disapproval of his father to do so. He believes that he should have the right to choose his own partner and that love should be the most important factor in marriage.