danger of a single story Flashcards
(36 cards)
“I’m a storyteller” “tell you a few personal stories”
anecdotal, shows her passion, you is a direct address, evokes a sense of engagement
“early reader”
shows she was well-educated despite the stereotypes
“British and American”
shows the western influence that remains after colonisation
“early writer”
enthusiastic, passionate from a young age
“poor mother obligated to read”
self-deprecating, perhaps as a result of being dismissed by stereotypes
“white and blue eyed”, “played in the snow”, “talked…about the weather”
all things that she was not, or did not do, shows the stark cultural difference, a desire to fit in and be like the characters she idolised, shows how children are impressionable
“I had never been outside of Nigeria”
short sentence for emphasis, not actually experienced the other culture, but believed it to be “correct” as that is what she admired/looked up to
“didn’t have snow” “mangoes” “no need to”
antithesis of the other culture, not who she is
“impressionable and vulnerable”
exactly what children are, easy to manipulate/mould to a certain image
“no need to…”
ellipses highlights there are more differences than she can name
“foreign…foreigners”
divide, shows that she is aware they are different to her
“could not personally identify”
marginalised, not represented
“things changed”
a shift, new hope, a sense of relief
“weren’t many of them” “weren’t as easy to find”
immensely ironic, as she is in an African country
“shift in my perception”
influence that media has, can shift mindsets, shows hope
“skin the colour of chocolate” “kinky hair”
derogatory, media has influenced how she perceives herself, comparing herself to them
“could also exist”
enlightened by the power of (literally) more than one story
“stirred my imagination”
metaphor, creativity and belief, wonder
“opened up new worlds”
hyperbole, shows the power that the media has once again, highlights how much it means to her individually
“saved me”
emotive, means so much
“a single story”
having a single point of view, it is much better for individuals and society as a whole if we can collaborate and learn to accept each others culture and differing views, will shape us and future generations to be more accepting
“sent yams and rice…old clothes”
inherited kindness and generosity from her mother
“felt enormous pity”
anecdote of Fide is emotive, reader pities those in similar circumstances, in this way she manages to not provide us with a single story, but instead show us two very different viewpoints from people living within Nigeria, shows she has learned from her past mistakes with single stories, enlightening reader who may have pre-existing stereotypes/prejudices
“tribal music”
racial stereotype
