Word of the Day
gumption [guhmp-shun]
noun
1. Initiative; aggressiveness; assertiveness.
2. Courage; spunk; guts, pizazz.
3. Common sense; shrewdness.
Ex. That kid really ticks me off, but, goddammit, does he have some gumption.
I think there is something about under dogs that we can all get behind. We've all been in their place before, especially us nerds. I think its because we're generally viewed as losers growing up and when we see another "loser" we want to see them win. A victory for someone who has never won before or is a constant failure is far more important. As we move into an age dominated by technology, perhaps we've most past the "loser" idea and are now just suck on our social hiccups.
Yet, nerds aren't the best underdogs, necessarily. I think the most important element of an under dog is that the earn their reward. That they are good, and true and honest. We love to see two types of underdogs a lot. The poor kid who goes from rags to riches or, in Charlie Bucket's case, toothpaste to candy in outer space. His optimism and truthfulness are what endear him to us.
We also love to see someone work hard and succeed because, often in real life, those who work hardest are the losers.In anime, the idea of the kid with nothing rising to the top and fulfilling his dreams is a popular theme in manga for boys. I gotta fall back on the ultimate anime underdog, in my opinion, Uzimake Naruto.
Naruto is, perhaps but not always, the biggest under dog in anime history. At the beginning of the show, he is a bad egg and local nuisance. Parents shun him for fear of the cursed beast that is within him (despite the fact that this sacrifice saved many of their lives). Furthermore, the cursed beast stunts his growth and combined with his goofiness, desperation for attention and lack of mentors, he fails the final exam at his school.
Naruto has to earn everything. The first person he gets to respect him is his instrcutor, Iruka sensei, after Naruto saves his life. From that moment, Naruto is finally acknowledged by one person and has to work his way up. He barely passes the exam, thanks to Iruka sensei's recommendation and is considered to be the worst ninja in his village. Naruto slowly has to earn the respect of others, not only through his abilities, but his actions. Naruto defeats more enemies with gumption and kindness than with strength. This is no easy task.
Yet, the theme of earning respect is common in Naruto. Within the universe, most of the more talented ninja are born with inherited traits or abilities, such as Sasuke's Sharingan. These characters are considered geniuses by many people. In the end, the show exerts that a true genius is someone who never gives up and has the guts to persevere through pain and trials.
Thus, by the current chapters of the manga, (they post a new chapter every week), Naruto has finally gained the respect, but the admiration and acknowledgement he has fought for. He didn't do it because he was smarter, or stronger or more gifted than anyone. He did it through determination.
That is why Uzimake Naruto is a great role model, as are most of the heroes of this show. I am not a fan of Neji, Sasuke or Gaara. Give me Chouji or Rock Lee!
ALGEBRAIC!
