Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger Essay Example

Introduction

Through the detail of the book "Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger (2015), Odesa was founded through a series of actions by a group of eking a living out of livestock trade. Odessa attracted settler because of its position in the midst of Permian Basin and its fortune on oil and gas production (23). However, the involvement and dependency of Odessa on high school football is another reason on how it attracted settlers. Boobie Miles suffers a knee injury, and his reaction portrays on his frustration as he feels that his future has been cut short since he cannot play. In the statement by Charlie Billingsley, I think the effect on Don is of his father trying to "live through" him is from the fact that Charlie (Don's father) shares Don's prosperity for fighting, womanizing, and drinking. Don's father tried to stay sober; however, by the end of the football season, Charlie failed to remain sober to watch Don play.

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As Don's poor play results in few playing opportunities as the Panthers play El Paso Austin and is replaced with Chris Comer at the fullback, who plays a good game. Don begins to blame the coach and the culture he laments on how a "nigger" like comer is favored at Permian. He claims that the Permian system was prejudiced against him and it had rules for black, and the rules for everyone else. Nate Hearn is trying to refer to the habits of the boys as they blame each other over random occurrences. Also, the coach decides to make the boys understand that the game requires dedication and togetherness to win. As Ivory Christian relates to his fellows, his real passion is visible. His real passion concerns preaching. For example, he almost quit the team midseason, to pursue his true calling for preaching. In chapter 7, I have the impression that the teachers are frustrated. The teachers are unmotivated as football is the main narrative at school compared to academic developments. Also, they are underpaid compared to other individual involved in football.

Eddie Driscoll who has the second-highest GPA in class feels like an outcast because he never feels like he does enough to impress the people. He does not know how and when to impress the people. Moreover, even if he enjoys his son's career, he still feels like an outsider. I think as Bissinger writes of one of a Permian parent, he strives to deliver a point home concerning the dominance of football in Texas culture. Also, he seeks to clarify the involvement of girls in maintaining the school standards. However, in comparison to the importance placed on academics at Permian to the learning achievements at our school, I think our learning approach is better that Permian learning. For one to understand and develop both leaning and academic achievements are remarkable. Separating one from the other will create an academic gap. On the other hand, Odessa High vs. Permian game come to so crucial to Odessa High's fans since the game was used to portray on the academic achievements. Odessa's culture was based on football which explains on the reason as to why the considered the game very important. The Odessans support George Bush Sr. since they believe he is one if the native founders of Odessa. Their lives and financial situations connect to Bush's view since the small depended on oil as well as Bush's support for the football.

According to chapter 10, mike Winchell's and Boobie Mile's seasons are going in opposite directions whereby as Boobie's season becomes sourer and sadder, Mike's season continues to prosper and rise. Boobie had been the golden boy before, but things are different now as Mike is the hero although he does not know how to accept the gift (53). As given in the story in chapter 11 about Steve Genter, a swimmer that undergoes extreme situations to pursue his dreams, I believe it is right for the coach to compare his players to Steve Genter's case. It is because, the coach does not aim to make them undergo pain as they fight for the team, but he wants the player to understand the actual drive to victory and what ambition means. In consideration of the comments passed by Jerrod McDougal concerning Japan and how his town is only left with football since the Japanese have taken all the oil. The attitude echoes what he is learning as he does not believe in allowing defeat. He thinks that the only way to secure football is by winning it (233). Either way, the approach concerning the academic achievement in our schools is better that Permian academics since it settles on more than football. Teenagers need to develop in all aspects.

Also, considering the events on how Gary Gaines was subjected to a rite of passage by his father, I think Gaines' father acted in his best self. Through the occurrence, it was only right to make sure that Gaines understood the intend lesson as well as grasp what his father wanted him to grasp. During the proceeding of the season, the coach treated the players different and always kept them on toes. Although, motivating he would scold them into working harder than before. However, once the players left on their own, the acted differently and went partying. There is a significant connection considering that the coach is focused on making the team win.

No-Pass No-Play Rule

The no-pass no-play rule examines the involvement of the football with academic achievement. For one to play, they had to achieve. The teachers play a role in developing the players get around that rule especially through learning and achievement (291). Bissinger claims that during the Carter game that the game will be a field of nightmares for Mike Winchell rather than a field of dreams because he does not have an outstanding arm (313). Also, he is compared to the place between Goliath and David, but he feels he is not fast enough. As players leave Permian, they face different situations. Boobie Miles moves with the uncle, L.V and receives a scholarship from Ranger Junior College in Texas. Texas Christian University offers ivory Christian a football scholarship, Mike Winchell, on the other hand, lacks a single award. Don Billingsley returns to Blanchard to live with the mother and stepfather after graduation although he remains as a heavy drinker.

Correspondingly, I think Boobie Miles benefited most from football in the novel despite acquiring an injury. Boobie Miles earns an injury but never gives up with setting up a critical point in the context of the story. On the other hand, I think Don Billingsley benefitted least as he ended up being a heavy drinker despite all the teaching and learning. Yes. I was surprised with I learned from Mike Winchell. He was one of the dedicated players; however, things do not work out as expected. He goes to Baylor and runs out of money and even quits everything to do with football. After writing the book, the author receives accusations of causing controversy to an extent he had to cancel a book signing in fear of his safety. However, I do not think these accusations are fair considering that he strives to deliver details ethically without violating any codes of rights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, considering my understanding of the book, I believe Bissinger sensationalized events in the book as accused of by coach Randy Mayes. Within the book, it does not offer opinions but follows the events chronologically. Thus, elaborating on Bissinger's sensationalizing of events.

References

Bissinger, H. G. (2015). Friday night lights: A town, a team, and a dream. Da Capo Press.