Umofia Virtual Village Reflection

• What did you learn about your character and other characters from participating in the role play?

Through interacting virtually with peers which represented a character in the novel "Things Fall Apart", I learned that most of the main protagonists of the novel have different perspectives. This led me to understand the personality and way of interacting with society of the main characters of the novel, understanding how they would face certain situations. Different perspectives can be conveyed for example through religion. Chielo, the character I portrayed, was completely devoted to believing in the "Oracle of the Hills and Caves", and followed her decisions which decided the fate and destiny of the Igbo community. Although I had already gained wide knowledge about the priestess of Umuofia through research, I connected more with my character. I began to completely understand how persons can be devoted to one perspective, and how can this change their view of society surrounding them. Another example is reverend smith, a british catholic clergy, which was devoted to christianity and disapproved of the different beliefs of the Igbo culture, expanding his views and harshly implemented his own beliefs in a culture that believed in a completely different type of god. 

• Why did certain characters act the way they did during our experience in the Village of Umuofia 

Because every character in the novel had specific emotional and physical characteristics that gave them uniqueness, leading to different enclosed perspectives and views. This can be seen by how the characters deal with different situations and their relationship with other people. This means that in certain situation, your chracter would have to act in a specific way. For example, let's take Okonkwo into account. He is a self-centered, sexist and masculine leader. In a fight, Oknonkwo would act aggressively and would show no fear. Interacting with woman, Okonkwo shows little respect, as he believes that gender is inferior and that men have superiority because of their increases strength and ability to do the hard work

• How was your experience similar and different from the novel?

Being Chielo during this experience, I was able, alike her in the novel, to portray devotion to the oracle of the hills and caves and show my enclosed beliefs in the god of Agbala, being her messenger. Throughout the virtual activity I constantly showed disagreement against decisions that were taken without consulting the great authoritarian figure that was the oracle and was most of the time against the harsh christian beliefs imposed mostly by Reverend Smith. My experience was different from the one in the novel since I only portrayed the very harsh and ferocious side of Chielo, which only surges when she connects with the Oracle or when she has to face difficult situations. In fact, Chielo is a very nice and generous woman, who maintains a good relationship with everyone in the village. 

• How has your experience in the village of Umuofia "virtual reality" changes or enhanced your understanding of the novel and the historical events on which it is based?

Overall, through reading other character's perspectives in specific situations, my overall understanding of the novel was enhanced. I had a very vague understanding of the personality and characteristics of many of the vital characters of the novel, and through this virtual interaction, I understood how they tackled problems and analyzed their different point of views. Regarding the historical context, it was certainly enhanced. I further understood the great cultural clash between the Igbo and the british, and how many aspects corresponding to the African Culture were greatly influenced by this new "alien" culture.