Bleachers
The image of the bleachers of the “Rakesfield” is one of the most important one in the novel. These bleachers represent the heart of the city, which gathered here every Friday to watch the “Spartans” playing. When sitting here years after Neely still “was hearing the drum corps of the band, and the raspy, unforgettable voice of Mr. Bo Michael on the public address, and the deafening sound of the bleachers rattling as the fans jumped up and down.” The image of the bleachers acquire symbolic meaning throughout the entire novel.
Nat’s café
Nat is one of the former players of “Spartans”, he is one of few who after football career stayed in Messina city and opened his own café. The image of the café helps to recollect the passed times: “the window was filled with books and advertised coffee and lunch. The door squeaked, a bell rattled, and for a moment Neely was stepping back in time.” The atmosphere of the place with “the first whiff of incense” showed Neely that Nat ran the place.
High School
Neely visited the school he went to as well. He wanted to recall the events which were in past, but when he entered the front door and made few steps he realized that little has changed here: “The halls of Messina High School were quiet, the classroom doors were all closed. Same lockers. Same paint color. Same floors hardened and shiny with layers of wax. Same sticky odor of disinfectant near the rest rooms.” Neely’s life has changed greatly, but still there were things that never changed, and the image of school helps Neely to understand that.
