Reconstructing the Master Narrative

Training overview

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison defined "the master narrative" as whatever ideological script that is being imposed by the people in authority on everybody else. In other words, the master narrative is created by those in power. This lecture will focus on why and how Black writers and scholars have created counternarratives in literature and history.

Key takeaways

Understand Toni Morrison’s concept of the “master narrative” and how dominant groups use it to shape culture identity and historical memory.

Explore the role of power in storytelling including who gets to define truth legitimacy and authority in society.

Learn how counternarratives reshape our understanding of history revealing perspectives experiences and truths long excluded from mainstream accounts.