“You know, Obi,” he said, “I had wanted to discuss that matter with you. But I have learnt not to interfere in a matter between a man and a woman,
especially with chaps like you who have wonderful ideas about love. A friend came to me last year and asked my advice about a girl he wanted to
marry. I knew this girl very very well. She is, you know, very liberal. So I told my friend: ‘You shouldn’t marry this girl.’ Do you know what this
bloody fool did? He went and told the girl what I said. That was why I didn’t tell you anything about Clara. You may say that I am not broad-
minded, but I don’t think we have reached that stage where we can ignore all our customs. You may talk about education and so on, but I am not
going to marry an osu.” 163
Joseph and Christopher come from a different background of education but they have the same idea. Both believe that marrying an osu is forbidden in Ibo
society. The fact that Joseph and Christopher have the same idea that they will not marry an osu shows that they obey Ibo’s traditional rules and customs.
Igwe’s and Agbasiere’s statements about Igbo’s caste system and Igbo’s marriage tradition shows that Joseph and Christopher stand against Obi’s decision
to marry an osu. It is so because Joseph and Cristopher know that marrying an osu will bring Obi to more complicated problems in the future.
c. Perceptions of Obi’s Parents
Obi’s father has known Obi’s decision to marry Clara. Obi’s father clearly states to Obi that he does not allow Obi to marry Clara. The only reason is that
Clara is an osu. In Obi’s father’s opinion, the reason why Obi cannot marry Clara is quite clear. From his father’s statements, it can be seen that it is obvious that
marrying an osu is prohibited. “You cannot marry the girl,” he said quite simply.
“Eh?” “I said you cannot marry the girl.”
“But why, Father?”
“Why? I shall tell you why. But first tell me this. Did you find out or try to find out anything about this girl?”
“Yes.” “What did you find out?”
“That they are osu.” “You mean to tell me that you knew, and you ask me why?” 151
People’s status in Ibo caste system society is determined by his level of the caste in his society. The people in this kind of society cannot change his status
easily. In this case, an osu cannot move to the higher status even if they have a good job or considered as a good people in his society. That is why Obi’s father
will not let Obi marry Clara.“I know Josiah Okeke very well.” he was looking steadily in front of him. His voice sounded tired. “I know him and I know his
wife. He is a good man and a great Christian. But he is an osu 151-152. According to Obi’s father, marrying an osu is a shame. The society may
isolate a man or a woman who marrries an osu. Obi’s father’s idea indicates that marrying an osu will bring Obi to have difficulties in the future. Obi’s father states
that it is not only Obi who will face the difficulties in the future but also his sons and daughters. The statements indicate that the consequences of marrying an osu
are very tough. “Osu is like leprosy in the minds of our people. I beg of you, my son, not
to bring the mark of shame and of leprosy into your family. If you do, you children unto the third and fourth generations will curse your memory. It is
not for myself I speak, my days are few. You will bring sorrow on your heads of your children. Who will marry your daughters? Whose daughters
will you sons marry? Think of that, my son. We are Christians, but we cannot marry our own daughters. 152
Obi’s mother has the same idea with Obi’s father. She does not like Obi’s plan to marry Clara. Obi’s mother states it is hard for her to let Obi marry an osu.
It means that breaking the tradition is something very fatal in a traditional society.
“I did not tell anybody about that dream in the morning. I carried it in my heart wondering what it was. I took down my Bible and read the portion
for the day. It gave me some strength, but my heart was still not at rest. In the afternoon your father came with a letter from Joseph to tell us that you
were going to marry an osu. I saw the meaning of my death in that dream. Then I told your father about it.” She stopped and took a deep breath.
154 People who hold their traditions firmly are willing to do anything to keep
their tradition in order not to be isolated by their society. People prefer death than being ashamed because they have ignored the tradition. Therefore, Obi’s mother
comes up with a very extreme idea. Obi’s mother does not want to be ashamed by approving Obi’s marriage with Clara. That is why she threatened to kill herself if
Obi marries Clara. It is clear that Obi’s parents do not like Obi’s decision to marry Clara. They do not agree with Obi’s plan because Obi’s parents still hold their
tradition firmly. “I have nothing to tell you except one thing. If you want to marry this girl,
you must wait until I am no more. If God hers my prayers, you will not wait long.” She stopped again. Obi was terrified by the change that had
come over her. She looked strange as if she had suddenly gone off her head.
“Mother” he called, as if she was going away. She held up her hand for silence.
“But if you do the thing while I am alive, you will have my blood on your head, because I shall kill myself.” She sank down completely exhausted.
154
Obi’s parents’ perceptions clearly show that the tradition rules are very strict. It shows that if somebody rebels against the rule of the society he will face
tough consequences in the future. Therefore, Obi’s parents stand against Obi’s plan to marry Clara. Using the theories of conflict, theory on caste system, review
on Igbo caste system and Igbo marriage tradition, it can be seen that the perceptions of Obi’s parents strenghten the two previous perceptions. The core of
those perceptions is marrying an osu is not a correct decision for a freeborn like Obi Okonkwo. The only reason is that they still hold their rule of society firmly.
The value of the tradition makes the other characters have such ideas which is very different to Obi’s way of thinking.
2. Obi’s New Perceptions about Marriage
