Over centuries stories of underdogs and giants have been passed down from generations to generations. Basic explanations of what make the underdog the underdog of the story are commonly given, but Malcolm Gladwell redefines the basic definition of an underdog in his book David and Goliath. One story that has been told for nineteen years is the story of a boy by the name of Harry Potter. If you have never been told the narrative you must know that Harry Potter was not just an ordinary boy , but one who possessed magical powers ,and defeated one of the most sinister wizards of all time when he was just a baby. Harry Potter is an underdog in a classic way and by the definition of an underdog by Malcolm Gladwell because Harry possesses characteristics
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Malcolm Gladwell describes desirable difficulties when stating, “An extraordinary high number of successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic.” (106) Malcolm Gladwell explains that desirable difficulties such as dyslexia pushes those who posses it to succeed not because the disease gives them the ability to, but because having the disease itself drives them to be successful. Harry Potter’s desirable difficulties were a main point in helping him to develop as a child. “ That’s whay yeh get when a powerful , evil curse touches yeh – took care of yer mum an’ dad an’ yer house, even – but it didn’t work on you , an, that’s why yer famous, Harry.” (Rowling 55)Harry grew up living in a hostile environment with an aunt and uncle whom neglected Harry, and a cousin who relentlessly bullied him. Harry Potter growing up had always been told that his parents had been killed in a car accident, but on the day of his eleventh birthday, little did he know that he would receive the most shocking news of his life. Harry would find out that he was a wizard, that he was accepted to Hogwarts the school of witchcraft and wizardry, and that his parents had not died the way that he had been told for years. After …show more content…
David refuses. “I cannot walk in these.” he says. “For I am unused to it.” Instead he reaches down and picks up five smooth stones, and puts them in his shoulder bag. Then he descends into the valley, carrying his shepherd’s staff.” (8) In this part of, David and Goliath, Malcolm tells us about David the shepherd boy who possess the characteristic of audacity. David occupies this characteristic because when he descends into the valley to face the over hundred pound, armored Giant all he obtained were five rocks and a sling shot. “It was the last thing they wanted to do, but what choice did they have?” (Rowling 175) Harry takes a bold risk, showing audacity when Ron and he find out that the girls’ bathroom they locked the troll in was the place Hermione was hiding after making her cry. Even though they did not have to go back to help Hermione, they chose to take a bold risk and save her themselves. Ron and Harry could have gone to get a magical instructor, but instead they had the audacity to save their friend. Not only does Harry possess weaknesses himself, but he also faces an adversary named Voldemort with a weakness
Malcolm Gladwell describes desirable difficulties when stating, “An extraordinary high number of successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic.” (106) Malcolm Gladwell explains that desirable difficulties such as dyslexia pushes those who posses it to succeed not because the disease gives them the ability to, but because having the disease itself drives them to be successful. Harry Potter’s desirable difficulties were a main point in helping him to develop as a child. “ That’s whay yeh get when a powerful , evil curse touches yeh – took care of yer mum an’ dad an’ yer house, even – but it didn’t work on you , an, that’s why yer famous, Harry.” (Rowling 55)Harry grew up living in a hostile environment with an aunt and uncle whom neglected Harry, and a cousin who relentlessly bullied him. Harry Potter growing up had always been told that his parents had been killed in a car accident, but on the day of his eleventh birthday, little did he know that he would receive the most shocking news of his life. Harry would find out that he was a wizard, that he was accepted to Hogwarts the school of witchcraft and wizardry, and that his parents had not died the way that he had been told for years. After …show more content…
David refuses. “I cannot walk in these.” he says. “For I am unused to it.” Instead he reaches down and picks up five smooth stones, and puts them in his shoulder bag. Then he descends into the valley, carrying his shepherd’s staff.” (8) In this part of, David and Goliath, Malcolm tells us about David the shepherd boy who possess the characteristic of audacity. David occupies this characteristic because when he descends into the valley to face the over hundred pound, armored Giant all he obtained were five rocks and a sling shot. “It was the last thing they wanted to do, but what choice did they have?” (Rowling 175) Harry takes a bold risk, showing audacity when Ron and he find out that the girls’ bathroom they locked the troll in was the place Hermione was hiding after making her cry. Even though they did not have to go back to help Hermione, they chose to take a bold risk and save her themselves. Ron and Harry could have gone to get a magical instructor, but instead they had the audacity to save their friend. Not only does Harry possess weaknesses himself, but he also faces an adversary named Voldemort with a weakness