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Chapter 71
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 learns that the Gulf War is starting before most people do because the breaking news interrupts football broadcasting. Only a couple days after the world learns the news of the Gulf War, Nick goes to a live game. At the game, the crowd erupts into various chants about the event, including “Saddam Hussein is a homosexual,” and “Arsenal run from Saddam.” Shortly after gameplay begins, however, the crowd is distracted and seems to completely forget about the war.
The Gulf War began on January 16 of 1991, several months after Iraq (led by Saddam Hussein) invaded Kuwait. Many British troops were deployed in combat in the Middle East. The crowd’s demeanor at the football game may seem insensitive, but their behavior may also allow the players and onlookers a lighthearted escape from the horrors of the war.
Themes
