Misconceptions are false ideas or beliefs that often arise from premature assumptions or inherited viewpoints. These misconceptions exist and will be present forever. Misconceptions can form about topics such as race, gender, politics and culture. The results of minor misconceptions might be harmless. However, misconceptions can be dangerous when they are major or widespread. After conducting a topic analysis on A Lesson Before Dying, Persepolis and “Exploring the Negative Consequences of Stereotypes”; I conclude that when a person or party is subjected to a misconception, they will react negatively. Stereotypes are a form of misconceptions. A stereotype is an “unfair belief that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same” (Merriam-Webster). In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, there are many racial stereotypes. White men mistakenly believe that all black people are uneducated and inferior. This misconception can be classified as a racial stereotype because: it is associating the trait of uneducation and inferiority with the entire black population. The first sign that these misconceptions existed came during Jefferson's trial when his defense said, “Look at him. Do you see a man sitting here? ... Do you see a minimum of intelligence? Do you see anyone here who could plan a murder, a robbery, who could plan--can plan--could plan anything? ...Well, I'd just as soon put a pig in the electric chair as that. » (Gaines 7-8). The defense simply asserts that Jefferson is not worthy of being considered human. Instead, he compares Jefferson to an impulsive and wild animal like a pig. Jefferson's demeaning defense of the world...... middle of newspaper ......ept of "stereotype threat" at universities and colleges such as Princeton, the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona ("Exploring the Negative Consequences of Stereotyping"). After conducting an analysis of the subject on the three sources provided, it is reasonable to assert that: When an individual or party is subjected to a misconception, he will react negatively. This statement remains constant, regardless of the type of misconception or form of reaction from the parties involved. The diverse range of supporting details given encompasses this very concept Works Cited. A Lesson Before Dying. Np: np, nd Print. Merriam-Webster, nd Web. November 9, 2013. stereotypes”. UANouvelles Np, and Web November 13.. 2013.