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Chapter 51
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
Arsenal is playing worse than ever. Consequently, Nick feels that he will never get out of his depressive rut. He takes a new girlfriend to her first Arsenal game. Arsenal plays so poorly against Watford that the Arsenal fans in the crowd start cheering for the other team. Nick feels that this is rock-bottom for the team, and he is relieved in a way. He’s glad that his girlfriend is there to witness the horrible occasion so that she gains some insight into his depressive state.
Nick expects that his girlfriend will understand that he is depressed due to how poorly Arsenal plays. However, though football certainly plays a role, Nick’s depression likely has less to do with Arsenal than he thinks. Football is a socially acceptable space for him to express negative emotions, but the book has thus far implied that Nick’s depressive rut is more likely related to his lack of fulfilment in his career and relationships.
Themes
