Narrow-mindedness
Narrow-mindedness is the first theme Adichie explores in "The Danger of a Single Story." Adichie explains how people quickly believe narratives about other people and countries without doing background checks to ascertain the truth. For instance, the Western media and literature portray Africa as a primitive continent with illiterate and suffering people. In addition, Western media and literature depict Africa as a continent of diseases and corrupt leadership. Adichie wonders how people in Western countries believe that Africa is a jungle, and yet they have not visited the continent before they make their judgments. Africa has many positive things, such as bright citizens and beautiful cities. However, people make wrong judgments about Africa due to their narrow-mindedness and unwillingness to listen to the other side of the story.
Maintaining identity
"The Danger of a Single Story" is about maintaining identity and appreciating self-culture and traditions. When Adichie relocates to the United States of America to pursue her studies, she encounters a new culture and people who believe that Africa is a jungle. However, Adichie proudly practiced her African heritage and reminded her white classmates that she had a culture to preserve. Whenever Adichie's roommate sympathized with her because she was Black, Adichie reminded her that Africa is full of potential with successful entrepreneurs and authors like Chinua Achebe. Consequently, Adichie reminds her audience that maintaining identity is critical in helping an individual to be confident.
Developing literary voice
Adichie develops her voice after she appreciates listening to the two sides of any story she reads. According to Adichie, a critical mind is developed when an individual is open-minded and willing to understand the two sides of the coin. Initially, Adichie believed everything she heard but later learned she made wrong assumptions about people and countries. As a result, Adichie developed an unbiased literary voice that enables her to make conclusions based on facts rather than listening to a single story.
