Outliers Malcolm Gladwell Essay
Focus Questions
1. In the novel, Outliers, the author, Malcolm Gladwell, defines key factors that leads one to be successful. To begin with, Gladwell asserts that “parentage and patronage” are key factors of success (19). In other words, success is measured based on one's maturity level. For example, a younger child in the same grade level as an older child is more likely to be at a disadvantage because he/sh e lacks the cognitive skills that the older child has developed. Therefore, the older child is placed in a more advanced program,which leads to a higher rate of success because of the opportunities the older child is exposed to (28). Furthermore, Gladwell claims that people who are blessed with more fortunate upbringings have higher chances of being successful. He emphasizes that individuals with more fortunate circumstances are given more practice time than the less fortunate; the countless hours of practice are a key factor to success (59). Another factor of success is one’s culture. Towards the end of his book, Gladwell provides an justification of how those that are Asian are more likely to succeed because of the legacy from past generations that they have a growth mindset (259). This legacy and mindset has been …show more content…
What other factor(s) does Gladwell not account for that contribute to success? Gladwell claims that opportunities allow individuals to be successful. However, he does not account the fact that the opportunities are meaningless if they choose not to take advantage of them. Simply stated, success doesn’t solely come from opportunities; it results from willpower and action. Gladwell uses Chris Langan, a genius, as an example of one blessed with great knowledge since birth (76). Gladwell fails to mention how Langan's determination to further his knowledge and ease his curiosity are key factors that helped him advance. In essence, outliers are successful because of the freewill they are given whether or not to work towards their
1. In the novel, Outliers, the author, Malcolm Gladwell, defines key factors that leads one to be successful. To begin with, Gladwell asserts that “parentage and patronage” are key factors of success (19). In other words, success is measured based on one's maturity level. For example, a younger child in the same grade level as an older child is more likely to be at a disadvantage because he/sh e lacks the cognitive skills that the older child has developed. Therefore, the older child is placed in a more advanced program,which leads to a higher rate of success because of the opportunities the older child is exposed to (28). Furthermore, Gladwell claims that people who are blessed with more fortunate upbringings have higher chances of being successful. He emphasizes that individuals with more fortunate circumstances are given more practice time than the less fortunate; the countless hours of practice are a key factor to success (59). Another factor of success is one’s culture. Towards the end of his book, Gladwell provides an justification of how those that are Asian are more likely to succeed because of the legacy from past generations that they have a growth mindset (259). This legacy and mindset has been …show more content…
What other factor(s) does Gladwell not account for that contribute to success? Gladwell claims that opportunities allow individuals to be successful. However, he does not account the fact that the opportunities are meaningless if they choose not to take advantage of them. Simply stated, success doesn’t solely come from opportunities; it results from willpower and action. Gladwell uses Chris Langan, a genius, as an example of one blessed with great knowledge since birth (76). Gladwell fails to mention how Langan's determination to further his knowledge and ease his curiosity are key factors that helped him advance. In essence, outliers are successful because of the freewill they are given whether or not to work towards their