The Structural Incomplete: Power, Stereotypes, and the Single Story Paradigm

Abstract

The concept of the single story, popularized by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, highlights how oversimplified narratives reduce complex cultures and individuals into incomplete stereotypes. These singular depictions often stem from cultural isolation and are reinforced by institutional power dynamics that dictate whose perspectives are shared. Consequently, marginalized communities face severe real-world consequences, ranging from internalized bias to systemic criminalization and social marginalization. This paper examines the epistemological machinery that constructs these narratives, drawing connections between Adichie's framework and structural power dynamics. Ultimately, the study argues that dismantling these harmful stereotypes requires actively promoting diverse, multi-layered literature and embracing overlapping narratives to restore human dignity and epistemic justice.

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