"Friday Night Lights"

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces and analyzes the book "Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream" by H.G. Bissinger. Specifically, it discusses the philosophical, psychological, social and ethical views from the book, in regards to life, sports, coaching and the students/players. Football in Odessa is the only reason most people live, and "Friday Night Lights" vividly shows the petty small town bigotry, small mindedness and mentalities that create a culture out of football and create life or death drama over winning or losing.

From the Paper:

"Psychologically, the people of Odessa seem not only extremely simple minded, they obsess over the games as if they were life and death. One prominent businessman says, "'Life really wouldn't be worth livin' if you didn't have a high school football team to support'" (Bissinger 20). It would be funny if it were not so sad. These people, even those who are happy and successful, seem to have nothing else in their lives but these Friday night games. What causes them to lead such empty and superficial lives that football is the only entertainment? Admittedly, Odessa is a "wretched" place to live, and there seems to be little else to do there to keep society interested and involved."

More papers on "Friday Night Lights":

• Book Review # 129593 : "Friday Night Lights"
• Film Review # 71624 : "Film: "Friday Night Lights"
• Film Review # 117565 : "Friday Night Lights"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: