Misunderstood+Outcast

=‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍// Misunderstood Outcast ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍// = Yash Patel

Often, people judge others in stereotypical ways and make assumptions without clear bases and accurate information. These stereotypes serve only to provide false views of others and wrongly detract from the benevolence they can bring. One such group that is heavily misjudged and should be reconsidered is that of the misunderstood outcast. Misunderstood outcasts are people who may seem mysterious, strange, or physically-challenged and are determined too hastily by others because of their involvement in non-popular groups. However, these outcasts are invaluable to society because they have good intentions and are steadfast in their beliefs, often with an extraordinary ability.

The most influential reason that misunderstood outcasts are shunned is simply because of a lack of knowledge. This could be a dearth of full understanding of their intentions, their qualities, or simply their identities. The lack of knowledge has the potential to be extremely dangerous when coupled with hasty generalizations, and no other historical event can illustrate this better than the [|Salem Witch Trials]of 1692. In this horrific event, people became afraid of witches manipulating certain aspects of the “good” folks’ lives. These supposed witches had no say orfair trial against their accusers because everyone just needed someone to blame. This witch hunt killed close to twenty-three innocent people who could have all been saved if it were not for the ignorance of a select frightened few. In another instance, in the TV series //Lost//, [|John Locke], a man with benevolent motives, abruptly pulls out a suitcase full of knives with which the survivors could hunt. The other characters are all taken aback by this bold move and initially suspect treachery when questions such as ‘How did this guy get so many knives onto the plane?’ and ‘Who is this mysterious man who plays backgammon and keeps so many blades?’ pop into their minds. What they did not know is that Locke came to Australia in hopes of getting on a hunting expedition and that he is indeed an expert huntsman. Thus, the other survivors branded Locke without knowing his well-educated background. Predetermined attribution to a person can also be reflected in the quick judgment based solely on appearance. In //Ender’s Shadow//, [|Bean], an extremely emaciated and underdeveloped child on the streets, proposes an intelligent plan to a clan boss in exchange for food and shelter. This boss eventually accepts the proposal, but not without severely criticizing Bean’s worth, due to his size. If Bean were a normal-sized child, the boss would have no issue accepting his help, but because of his pathetic stature, his idea must be called into question. Someone’s thoughts should not be inhibited just because of the person stating it; rather, ideas should be chosen based on their potential benefits. People may also be judged so much that they begin to judge themselves. On the popular reality TV show //Survivor//,[| John Cochran], an intellectual currently in Harvard Law School, relays his confidence in the self-deprecating manner in which he speaks. He immediately, without a glance at the competitors or the manners of life, states that he would perform poorly in any physical challenges. He then continues on to state that he would be useless in challenges involving intellect. Within about twenty seconds, he has already degraded himself in the eyes of the viewers because he dwells only on his weaknesses and not on his strengths. Misunderstood outcasts are often distinguished by others’ hasty judgments due to lack of knowledge, usually always doing more harm than good.

While they are unfairly viewed by others, misunderstood outcasts do have noticeable negative qualities that could be seen as reasons for diminishing their worth. Often these pariahs are pathetic, socially awkward, or against the norm. In an online blog, a person known as [|Jalopy] shares her thoughts about why others treat her badly. However, the manner in which she describes herself, which is intended to draw sympathy, neither makes the readers want to offer compassion nor feel any sort of understanding for her situation. She states that she does not want to finish the book she is writing and is “afraid to continue because [she does] not want others to hate it.” Her low self-esteem and confidence put her in a downcast position already. Sometimes, however, nothing has to be said or tangibly relayed to understand a division between the outcast and the norm. In a cartoon labeled “[|Negative Penguin],” among a mob of all correctly-colored penguins, one is negative, with its colors inverted. The normal penguins all stare at this discolored one and tacitly suggest that it is weird. People may also be seen negatively if they are deemed mysterious or treacherous. For example, [|homosexuals in Nigeria], a country heavily influenced theologically, are eschewed, and severe laws have been imposed in the attempts to cease all such heresy. High political members in the country do not like the notion of homosexuality, believing that it may jeopardize the country’s honor. As a result, any gay marriages will be nullified, and the heretics put in jail for an unreasonably long time. Negative implications often arise when people display gauche or menacing qualities.

Nevertheless, misunderstood outcasts are essential. When least expected, these individuals rise from the ashes, using their talents and abilities that may have been the cause for their initially poor reputations. In particular, [|Hermione Granger] from //Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone// exemplifies this quality. At first, she is the girl in class who knows all the answers to all the questions presented by the teacher—the classic know-it-all. Consequently, Ron and others make fun of her partly out of jealousy and partly out of annoyance. Hermione is seriously disgruntled by this because she thought that being knowledgeable would be an advantage among other wizards. However, she quickly showed the others her merit when she remembered something she had learned in herbology regarding the Devil’s Snare that in turn saved both Harry and Ron’s lives. The movie //The Dark Knight// describes this quality as well. [|Batman], a unique hero, only wishes to help others and fight crime in Gotham City, but because the villain, the Joker, blames the deaths of innocent civilians on the city’s secret hero, people begin to deride Batman. However, in the end, Batman’s intrusion in the Joker’s capture saves two large ferries full of innocents and countless hostages dressed as the Joker’s minions. Another vital positive characteristic of misunderstood outcasts’ personas are their relentless pursuits in their beliefs of what is right. Specifically, [|Sheldon Cooper] from the TV show //The Big Bang Theory// incessantly asserts his views onto others. He continues to learn the social graces of society, but part of him will not let go of his firm personal doctrines. Consequently, he creates humor for other characters and viewers. And many times, Sheldon, because of his steadfastness bordering on recalcitrance, usually gets what he desires at the moment. For instance, during a Halloween party, Sheldon dresses up as the Doppler Effect. No one can guess what his costume is, but he firmly reiterates it to each person who guesses incorrectly and is not disheartened by the criticism he receives. Many misunderstood outcasts make a positive revival in some way, ranging from portraying their talents effectively to adhering to the right to even providing comic relief.

Many people belong to the archetype of “misunderstood outcast.” While this label sounds negative toward those in that group, it holds a larger, more powerful meaning. These individuals have certain faults and impediments that can be reason for stereotyping; however, others fail to see their magnificent qualities and the talents that they contain. Those others should respect these pariahs because it is the unconventional who attain great achievements specifically for their unorthodox manners. Regardless, these misunderstood outcasts should not be subjected to hasty judgment, because the only result is one individual hindering the potential greatness of others.

__Work Cited __
 * Card, Orson Scott. //Ender's Shadow//. New York: TOR, 1999. Print.
 * //The Dark Knight//. By Christopher Nolan. Perf. Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, and Christian Bale. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2008.
 * //Funny Sheldon Cooper Moments//. Perf. Jim Parsons. //Youtube.com//. 5 Oct. 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. .
 * Haruna, Godwin. "Nigeria: Homosexuals - Chasing the 'Outcasts' out of Town - Norwegian Council for Africa." //English - Norwegian Council for Africa//. 8 Sept. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. 
 * "Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." //Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep//. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. <http://www.shmoop.com/harry-potter-sorcerers-stone/hermione-granger.html>.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Jalopy. "Jalopy's Blogger: The Misunderstood Outcast." Web log post. //Jalopy's Blogger//. 9 Apr. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://jlp6869rocks.blogspot.com/2011/04/misunderstood-outcast.html>.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">//John Locke's Knives - Lost//. Perf. Terry O'Quinn. //Youtube.com//. 2 Jan. 2009. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlGaTJbzlxs>.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Linder, Douglas. "An Account of the Salem Witchcraft Investigations, Trials, Andaftermath." //UMKC School of Law//. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM>.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">"Negative Penguin." Cartoon. //CartoonStock//. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/o/outcast_gifts.asp>.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">//Survivor South Pacific Meet John Cochran//. Perf. John Cochran. //Youtube.com//. 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnXJONQm-5Q>.