Secondary Characters in David and Goliath
The Role of Supporting Characters
In "David and Goliath," Malcolm Gladwell weaves together numerous secondary characters whose stories reinforce his central thesis about underdogs and advantages. These characters, while not the main focus, provide crucial evidence and emotional depth to his arguments.
NoteSecondary characters in this book serve as case studies rather than traditional literary characters, each illustrating different aspects of the David versus Goliath phenomenon.
Key Secondary Characters
Caroline Sacks
One of the most memorable secondary characters is Caroline Sacks, a gifted science student who struggles at Brown University. Her story illustrates the "big fish in a small pond" effect.
"She had a choice between being a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. She chose the former and lost her dream."Example
Caroline's story demonstrates how relative disadvantage works in education. Despite her talents, being surrounded by even more exceptional students at Brown led to her abandoning her scientific aspirations - a phenomenon Gladwell uses to challenge our assumptions about prestigious institutions.
Jay Freireich
A pioneering cancer researcher whose traumatic childhood experiences shaped his unconventional approach to treating childhood leukemia.
TipPay attention to how Gladwell connects Freireich's personal trauma to his later success, showing how apparent disadvantages can become strengths.
David Boies
A successful lawyer with dyslexia whose story demonstrates how perceived disabilities can lead to the development of compensatory skills.
"Dyslexia - in the best of cases - forces you to develop skills that might otherwise have lain dormant."
Teresa DeBrito
The principal of Shepaug Valley Middle School, whose experience with class size reduction provides a counterintuitive lesson about the relationship between resources and results.
Thematic Groupings
The Trauma Survivors
- Jay Freireich
