Why can't father and son compromise?

In 's
short story "," Nnaemeka rejects the traditional Ibo marriage custom by choosing his
own bride and proposing to Nene without his parents' approval. In Ibo culture, it is tradition
that a man's father choose his son's bride and handle negotiations regarding the bride price.
Nnaemeka is aware that his father will be upset that he purposely rejected Ibo tradition by
proposing to Nene because his father is a strict traditionalist. After Nnaemeka tell his father
that he will not propose to Ugoye Nweke and that he is engaged to Nene, his father shuns and
disowns him.

While Nnaemeka makes several attempts to rekindle his
relationship with his father, his father refuses to respect Nnaemeka's decision and accept the
fact that he has rejected the traditional Ibo custom. Overall, Nnaemeka and his
father cannot compromise because Nnaemeka genuinely loves Nene and plans on marrying her
regardless of his father's thoughts or Ibo tradition. Likewise, Nnaemeka's father refuses to
accept his son's decision and cannot respect the fact that his son has rejected the traditional
marriage custom.