Primary Characters in David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell (Narrator)
As both author and narrator, Gladwell serves as our guide through various case studies and historical examples. His presence is felt throughout the book as he:
- Weaves personal anecdotes with research
- Draws connections between seemingly unrelated stories
- Challenges conventional wisdom about advantages and disadvantages
Gladwell's role as narrator is particularly important as he often injects his own interpretations and insights, helping readers see familiar stories in new ways.
David Boies
A prominent lawyer who turned his dyslexia into an advantage:
- Developed exceptional listening and memory skills to compensate for reading difficulties
- Became one of America's most successful trial lawyers
- Demonstrates Gladwell's theory of "desirable difficulties"
"David Boies is dyslexic, and like many dyslexics, he learned to read late and still reads slowly... But he has compensated for that disability by developing other skills."Example
Boies' handling of the Microsoft antitrust case showcases how his perceived disadvantage became a strength. His ability to memorize vast amounts of information and think on his feet proved more valuable than traditional reading skills.
Caroline Sacks
A gifted science student whose story illustrates the "big fish in a small pond" effect:
- Chose Brown University over the University of Maryland
- Struggled in the competitive STEM environment
- Eventually abandoned her dream of a science career
Caroline's story serves as a central example of how relative deprivation can affect outcomes, and how being a small fish in a big pond isn't always advantageous.
