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Chapter 4
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Fever Pitch, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Obsession vs. Fandom
Sports, Identity, and Community
Escapism
Sports and Masculinity
Summary
Analysis
Nick is at scout camp in Wales during the beginning of the football season. He is miserable at camp. He’s homesick, and he recently found out that his parents are officially divorcing. Nick is so upset that his father travels a long way to the camp to visit in hopes of consoling Nick. Nick’s dad reassures him that the divorce won’t change much in his life. Nick knows this is true, but he doesn’t feel much better. After they talk, Nick and his dad listen to Arsenal’s first home game on the radio. Arsenal loses. In light of the news, Nick leaves camp prematurely the next day.
At this point, Nick’s parents have already been separated for a while. Nick and his dad both seem to believe that the divorce won’t change much, but it remains to be seen if this will hold true. Nick seems to try to take comfort in listening to the Arsenal game, but Arsenal’s loss makes him feel worse. Even football can’t make him feel better about his changing circumstances right now.
Themes
