Genre
Sports fiction
Setting and Context
The novel spans 30 years, beginning in the early 1970s, and is set in America.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator of the novel is Paul Tracey, who tells us about his reactions to the events of 1973.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the novel is often tragic, due to the events that take place and the troubled relationships between family members. This being said, the novel is also very moving.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Paul is the protagonist, while his father is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the text is whether Warren will make amends for his behavior.
Climax
The climax of the novel is when Warren and Joe Castle meet.
Foreshadowing
Warren's future behaviour is foreshadowed by his treatment of Paul when he was a child.
Understatement
For many years, Warren understates his responsibility in the fate of Joe Castle.
Allusions
Grisham alludes to many baseball teams in the novel, including the Mets, Giants, and Pirates.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe Warren's cruelty towards his son. He is often described as berating his son and talking down to him.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
Parallels can be drawn between the events of the novel and the story of Ray Chapman, who died during a match in the 1920s.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
"Vietnam" is used as a metonym for the events of the Vietnam war.
Personification
Grisham personifies the country as "slowly emerging from the trauma of the Vietnam war."
