True or False: Dramatic transformations (changes in the characters) are not always caused by external (outside) forces, but gradual (slow)...

This is quite a deep question, and the answer is one word:  true. We can see this through the character of Max. His transformation is one of lack of self-confidence to self-confidence. Although Kevin helps him discover this, the actual transformation comes from within Max himself.

We can see that Max has a lack of self-confidence at the beginning of the book through the very first sentence:

I never had a brain until Freak came...

This is quite a deep question, and the answer is one word:  true. We can see this through the character of Max. His transformation is one of lack of self-confidence to self-confidence. Although Kevin helps him discover this, the actual transformation comes from within Max himself.

We can see that Max has a lack of self-confidence at the beginning of the book through the very first sentence:

I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while, and that’s the truth, the whole truth.

This continues with Max describing his young self as the “Kicker” who would not allow other children to touch him without retaliating with a kick. Max believes he has no intelligence or ability to help others.

The irony is that Max proves himself wrong. Max begins his transformation with the decision to help Kevin get a toy out of a tree. Max continues his transformation by allowing Kevin into this world “down under” in the basement. Max empowers Kevin by putting Kevin on his back, allowing Kevin to get around quicker, and by creating the dual character of “Freak the Mighty.” Most importantly, Max’s transformation is complete by the end of the book, when Max decides to use his writing ability to write down the adventures of Max and Kevin as the book Freak the Mighty.