Bad thing Quote by Elif Batuman
““I found myself remembering the day in kindergarten when the teachers showed us Dumbo, and I realized for the first time that all the kids in the class, even the bullies, rooted for Dumbo, against Dumbo's tormentors. Invariably they laughed and cheered, both when Dumbo succeeded and when bad things happened to his enemies. But they're you, I thought to myself. How did they not know? They didn't know. It was astounding, an astounding truth. Everyone thought they were Dumbo.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Idiot, by Elif Batuman, 2017
People often cheer for the underdog, even when they don't realize they're supporting the same person they judge.
In simple terms: We all root for the underdog without noticing our own biases.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden empathy in group dynamics.
Themes
empathy
bias
group dynamics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- classroom observations
- team sports
- political rallies
- online communities
Key Concepts
social psychology
identity
projection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does anonymity affect our support for the underdog?
- Do we truly understand why we cheer?
A Different Perspective
People may overlook personal responsibility for the underdog's success.
