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Chapter 56
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
Just before Nick’s 30th birthday, Arsenal has another great game. Nick feels completely relieved of the depression he experienced over the past seven years. He revels in Arsenal’s win and reflects that football fans don’t live vicariously through players—their devotion to their team is a distinct relationship. Nick feels that he does more for Arsenal and has been more loyal to the club than any of the actual players have.
At times, Nick’s beliefs that he has worked hard and suffered for Arsenal seem to border on delusional. However, it is undeniably true that he supports the club unconditionally, and he is in fact more loyal than the actual players (who are traded to other teams all the time). Fans like Nick do help their football clubs—financially, and by cheering them on at games. This is a wholesome aspect to the complicated topic of fandom and obsession.
Themes
