Compare and Contrast Two Novels

I Do Marriage traditions are an important aspect of the culture in both novels, Nectar in a Sieve and Things Fall Apart. These traditions have changed since the time period of each novel’s setting. The changes were either beneficial or detrimental to the culture. In Things Fall Apart, the bride’s family presents a bundle of sticks which represent the number of bags of cowries paid to the groom’s family. This bundle of sticks is exchanged non-verbally until a decision is made with the price. Also, they practice polygamy where it is normal for a man to have more than one wife; in contrast it is a taboo for a woman to have more than one husband. The more wives a husband has the richer he is. It shows he is able to support and feed all of them. Women are usually the ones who make the food for everyone and the husband is the first person to be served since he is the head of the family. The fathers give their crops to their sons so they will have something to start out with when they begin a family of their own. “Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men usually had. He did not inherit a barn from his father. There was no barn to inherit.” (Achebe 16). Frequently, the first wife is the oldest woman and most respected wife in the family. The first wife is the only one allowed to wear an anklet to represent her husband’s titles. It is an honor for a woman to have a child and they prefer to have sons over daughters. The sons are able to help out a lot on the crops with the heavy lifting and multiple tasks.
Wedding ceremonies in Nectar in a Sieve require much preparation beforehand, and can last for several days. On the day of the wedding there is much merriment, food, drinks, and music. The extent of the celebration depends on the wealth and status of the parents. Sometimes a celebration can leave people penniless. The couple, the groom in particular, and parents are presented with gifts. Ira’s wedding was more modest than many. For example, the