5. It was Sean's first day at a new high school. Most of the students had been nice to him, until he got into gym class. The coach had assigned two captains, Mike and Malik, and they were picking teams from the boys in Sean's class. As Mike and Malik made their picks, it became pretty clear to Sean who was popular and who was not. Since Sean was short for his age, Mike and Malik just assumed that Sean could not play basketball. As Mike and Malik's choices dwindled, Sean still remained amongst an ever-slimming pool of struggling athletes. Now there were only two students left: Sean and another kid who seemed nice but was reading a book. Mike and Malik joked about who was going to get stuck with whom, and then Mike made his last pick. It was not Sean. Sean sighed and reluctantly joined Malik's team. As soon as the game began, Mike became aware of the error that he had made. Sean quickly stole the ball from him and ran it back for a layup. "The new kid got lucky," Mike remarked, but it soon became clear that Sean had more going for him than luck. What Sean lacked in height, he made up for in speed, and he continued to dominate the action on the court for the remainder of the game. With Sean's blazing speed and crazy crossovers, Malik's team devastated Mike's, and that was the only time that Sean would be last pick at that high school.

Question

What is the theme of the story?

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

Answer 1

The theme of the story is about overcoming stereotypes and proving one's worth despite initial judgments based on appearances. It highlights how people can be underestimated based on traits that are often deemed unfavorable, such as height in Sean's case, but also illustrates the importance of looking beyond those surface-level attributes to recognize true talent and potential.

The events that lead to this conclusion include Sean's experience during the gym class when he is the last pick due to assumptions about his abilities based on his short stature. Mike and Malik assume that he cannot play basketball, showing a common bias against people who do not fit the traditional athletic mold. However, once the game begins, Sean surprises everyone by showcasing his speed and skill, which allow him to dominate the game and significantly contribute to Malik's team's success. This turn of events serves to challenge and disprove the initial judgments made by Mike and the other students. By the end of the game, Sean earns the respect of his peers and no longer faces the underestimation that he experienced at the beginning, illustrating a journey of self-affirmation and breaking through preconceived notions.