Family Affair by Sue Nyathi Theme analyzed: Marriage

Explores family dynamics, family secrets, marriage dynamics and relationship dynamics.

Marriage is an important theme in this book. The women in this book view marriage as an achievement and the highest standard for a woman. The women are taught to protect and prioritize their marriage above all and at any cost. They are taught to adhere and endure no matter how bad the marriage may get. They are taught compromise and submission.

Marriage may be painted as hard and complicated by the older women, but this does not take away the longing and pressure of getting married from the young women. This is perhaps because of the high value and respect that is given to married women. A women can have it all, but if she is not married, she is lacking…

We see how each of the three daughters tackle and handle marriage and the standards that go with it. We witness the extent to which marriage affects and influences the decisions, thoughts and lives of these women. Each one’s marriage experience is different to the other.