Okeke's
friends believe that "other worldly" forces have caused Nnaemeka's behavior.
When Okeke's friends hear of Nnaemeka's desire to marry someone Nene, they demonstrate
a profound difficulty to understand why he has done what he has done. One of Okeke's friends
argues that the Bible predicted this very scenario when children disobey their parents: What
did Our Lord say?' asked another gentleman. 'Sons shall rise against their Fathers; it is there
in the Holy Book. For this one of Okeke's friends, the only way to explain Nnaemeka's behavior
is through the Bible. At the same time, another friend suggested that Okeke might be
"sick." This friend argues that seeking the help of alternative medicine is the only
to cure what ails Okeke's son: What is he then? The boys mind is diseased and only a good
herbalist can bring him back to his right senses. The medicine he requires is
Amalile, the same that women apply with success to recapture their husbands
straying affection. In both situations, Okeke's friends cannot fathom why Nnaemeka would want
to marry Nene. The only possible explanations they can offer is "other worldly" ones.
Such beliefs reflect the extent of the traditionalism that Nnaemeka and
Nene fight against in their decision to be married. This idea demonstrates how marriage might
not be necessarily seen as solely a "private affair" in many parts of the
world.
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