Genre
Collection of Essays
Setting and Context
Many of the essays are set in modern-day America.
Narrator and Point of View
The text is written from Gladwell's point of view.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the collection is philosophical and inquisitive.
Protagonist and Antagonist
There are no protagonists and antagonist in a traditional sense.
Major Conflict
Many of Gladwell's essays take an aspect of society and show how it could be dealt with better by the government.
Climax
There are no clear climaxes in the collection, which as a set of essays mainly presents various ideas about society.
Foreshadowing
The fact that Gladwell will be talking about a mistake John Rock made is foreshadowed in the title "John Rock's Error."
Understatement
Gladwell argues that the benefits of the contraceptive pill outside of preventing pregnancy are understated.
Allusions
Gladwell alludes to Murray Barr in his essay "Million-Dollar Murray."
Imagery
In describing the differences between panicking and choking, Gladwell uses imagery to illustrate his argument.
Paradox
The government and authorities try to manage homelessness by arresting people, but this actually makes things a lot worse.
Parallelism
Gladwell parallels actors and inventors in his essay "The Pitchman."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
