Athlete Vs. Mathlete

Russell is the second protagonist and point-of-view character of the novel. Where Owen is lean and athletic, Russell is tall and skinny, befitting his place among the academically inclined students. Owen describes Russell as “a perfect fit for the library, not the locker room” (8), which is both true and ironic once Russell makes the basketball team. Russell’s greatest quality is his ability to make connections and understand things other people struggle to see. This makes him an ideal leader for the Masters of the Mind club, where he acts as the glue of the team, helping each member enhance their individual talents so the entire group functions as a whole. Russell also brings this team-oriented attitude to the basketball team, where he is happy to do his part and step back when it’s someone else’s turn to shine. The greatest challenges Russell faces are the behaviors of others, specifically Owen and Arthur. Both characters offer emotional challenges that Russell struggles to overcome because he is too widely stretched by all his obligations. Once Russell makes the basketball team, he wants to be everything to everyone who needs him, something he finds to be unsustainable. By the end of the book, Russell is forced to sit down and look at his schedule in order to see how everything comes together, yet again showing how he makes connections when he has the presence of mind to look for them.

Arthur is one of the antagonists of the novel. Even though he’s only in middle school, Arthur has his sights fixed on attending Harvard University and wears clothing with the school’s name on it whenever possible. Arthur represents the status-seeker who uses others to get ahead. Russell’s leadership role on the Masters of the Mind team is threatened by his new status as a member of the basketball team. This gives Arthur an opening to usurp Russell’s place in the club, which he wants to use to his own advantage. He somewhat succeeds, because Russell’s friends are scared things are changing and see Arthur as the stability the club needs to succeed at the upcoming competition.

Arthur’s arrogance is his greatest weakness and downfall. Initially, he wields his arrogance like a weapon by taking over the bake sale and convincing the club members that Russell is no longer fit to lead. In the end, though, Russell and his friends use Arthur’s arrogance against him, making Arthur think that Masters of the Mind is hurting his chances of getting into Harvard because it’s just another academic achievement on Arthur’s list. Arthur deserts the team as soon as the club no longer holds a purpose for him, showing his fickle nature and how he only participates in activities he can manipulate to his advantage.