This question is based on Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God ''' It is not bravery for a man to beat his wife. I know a man and his wife must quarrel; there is no...

Answer Details

The words "It is not bravery for a man to beat his wife. I know a man and his wife must quarrel; there is no abomination in that... No, you may quarrel; but let it not end in fighting..." concern Akueke and her husband in Chinua Achebe's novel "Arrow of God". Akueke is the daughter of Ezeulu, the priest of Ulu. She is married off to a man from a neighboring village as part of a political alliance. However, her husband is physically abusive towards her, and she eventually runs away from him. The quote in question is part of a conversation between Ezeulu and his son, Obika. Obika is angry that Akueke has brought shame to the family by running away, but Ezeulu counsels him to be understanding and compassionate towards her. He tells Obika that it is not brave for a man to beat his wife, and that quarrels between husbands and wives are normal. However, he cautions against letting those quarrels escalate into physical violence. The quote is significant because it shows that Achebe is critical of the patriarchal attitudes and gender-based violence that were common in traditional Igbo society. Ezeulu's words suggest that he sees marriage as a partnership between equals, and that he values communication and non-violent conflict resolution. Therefore, the words "It is not bravery for a man to beat his wife. I know a man and his wife must quarrel; there is no abomination in that... No, you may quarrel; but let it not end in fighting..." concern Akueke and her husband in Chinua Achebe's novel "Arrow of God".