Therefore, he is very much painted as the victim of this love story. David on the other hand lends himself to the kind of character that reacts to save Beile. He is characterized as a shy and constant jokester, and in his humor he is at the same time evidenced as a very passionate individual. This is established by the narrator through his daydreams where David feels an impulse to "through himself" on Beile's lips. The author paints David as an underdog, an individual who had hitherto never made his love clear to Beile, but clearly cares for her. In this way, his actions are even more passionate when he stands up to defend her.

The author again uses careful juxtaposition to establish the reader's sympathy and support for David. He is described at the outset as a "shy" individual who rarely speaks but to make jokes. His heroism in the face of Beile's mistreatment is uncharacteristic of his personality, and his bravery conveys...

By creating this juxtaposition within David, it creates the illusion that David had to overcome personal barriers to speak up for Beile. It is this affect that makes him so believable and this story so intriguing.
The most intriguing part of this story as well as its conflict is that the author artfully shows both of the male counterparts to be worthy of Beile. His use of an omniscient narrator allows him to craft tension by painting both characters as worthy husbands for Beile. Ultimately, it is circumstance that allows David to win out, but Heyman in turn is portrayed as much more the fallen hero of some grave injustice of fate, than a fellow deserving of rebuke. It is precisely because the reader can sympathize with both David and Heyman at the same time that makes "A Sweatshop Romance" so fun to read.