Final answer:
Nnaemeka and Nene in "Marriage Is a Private Affair" are separated by their ethnic backgrounds: Nnaemeka holds a strong Igbo sense of family and race pride, while Nene embodies a democratic universality that does not align with Nnaemeka's traditional values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethnic difference that separates Nnaemeka and Nene in "Marriage Is a Private Affair" arises from their diverse cultural backgrounds and their differing perceptions of family and traditional values. Nnaemeka, who comes from a more traditional and conservative Igbo background, has ingrained within him a strong sense of family-pride and race-pride. He is bound by the customs and expectations of his ethnic group.
On the other hand, Nene, who does not share this traditional viewpoint, is characterized as a true democrat, universal in her kindness and less influenced by those traditional bindings. Their contrasting views on family, tradition, and ethnicity signify the core tension in the story and highlight the challenges that inter-ethnic relationships can face.