Dear Basketball Themes | SuperSummary (2024)

Love and Obsession

While Kobe Bryant’s retirement from basketball prompts the poem, the theme of love propels it. What pushes Bryant to play in the NBA for 20 years is his lifelong love for basketball, and love isn’t a moderate feeling: It’s an obsession. The speaker tells basketball, “I fell in love with you. // A love so deep I gave you my all” (Lines 8-9). Love is all-consuming, and love for basketball dominates Bryant’s life starting when he was six years old—pretending he was playing for the Lakers and had to make game-winning shots in their arena. Love transcends age and every part of his body. Love for basketball takes over the speaker’s “mind & body” and his “spirit & soul” (Lines 10-11).

Like a genuine obsession, Bryant’s true love for basketball is unceasing. There is no light at “the end of the tunnel” (Line 14) because there his love is boundless. The speaker says, “I only saw myself / Running out of one [tunnel]” (Lines 15-16). Bryant’s obsessive love keeps him on the go. He notes, “And so I ran” (Line 17). He runs up and down basketball courts and after the loose balls, and the running exemplifies his fixation. He’ll do anything for basketball—basketball makes him feel more “alive” than anyone or anything else (Line 29).

Dear Basketball Themes | SuperSummary (2024)

FAQs

Dear Basketball Themes | SuperSummary? ›

His unrelenting commitment to basketball caused tension on his teams, as did his behavior off the court. The poem acknowledges that Bryant had problems, but his unyielding love for the game made his tumultuous career worth it. The poem's themes include Love and Obsession, Fate and Destiny, and When to Let Go.

What is the theme of the poem "Dear Basketball"? ›

The poem was an ode to the sport of basketball, to the game that afforded him so many invaluable opportunities both on and off the court; to the game that he loved. It was also an admission that after 20 years he was finally ready to let go of his first true passion.

What is a metaphor in Dear Basketball? ›

Bryant doesn't clearly spell out his obsession though, he builds to it by using classic metaphors like [his dad's] "tube socks," "the tunnel," and "sweat and hurt." Through use of these devices Kobe builds up the great love affair of his life and allows us, the reader, to experience this highs and lows of said romance.

What is the author's purpose of Dear Basketball? ›

“Dear Basketball” illustrated the poem Bryant wrote in 2015 as a farewell to the sport he loved; it served as his announcement that the 2015-16 season would be his last.

What is the story behind the Dear Basketball? ›

Dear Basketball is a 2017 American animated film written and narrated by Kobe Bryant and directed and animated by Glen Keane, with music by John Williams. It is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune on November 29, 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.

What are the main themes of the poem? ›

Themes can vary across poems. First, poems can cover a wide variety of topics: love, nature, identity, and society are just a few examples. Naturally, a writer may have quite a lot to say about these topics, which would lead to the development of a theme.

What is the central idea theme of the poem? ›

The central theme of a poem represents its controlling idea. This idea is crafted and developed throughout the poem and can be identified by assessing the poem's rhythm, setting, tone, mood, diction and, occasionally, title.

What is the theme of the author's purpose? ›

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTHOR'S PURPOSE AND THEME? Theme is the message from the story and authors purpose is the reason for the story!

What are the three main points for author's purpose? ›

Although there are many reasons to write, to persuade, to inform and to entertain represent the three main forms of author's purpose.

What is the author's purpose and message? ›

An author's purpose may be to amuse the reader, to persuade the reader, to inform the reader, or to satirize a condition. An author writes with one of four general purposes in mind: 1. To relate a story or to recount events, an author uses narrative writing.

What is the allusion in Dear Basketball? ›

Allusion- In Dear Basketball Kobe alludes to the Great Western Forum which was the arena Kobe first played in, in his rookie season as a Laker. He then states this only year in the Forum made him realize he was in love with basketball. Personification- Dear Basketball personifies the game of basketball.

Who was the poem "Dear Basketball" written for? ›

Bryant is an American basketball player who penned this poem to celebrate his time as a professional and his retirement. He dedicated the poem to basketball and discussed why it means so much to him.

Is Dear Basketball a free verse poem? ›

The poem is in free verse. As the name indicates, Kobe Bryant is free to give his poem the form he wants. The lines don't have to contain a set amount of beats (pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables), and the lines don't have to rhyme.

What is the theme of a story poem? ›

The theme of a story or poem will be explored through elements like characters, plot, settings, conflict, and even word choice and literary devices. Theme definition: the central idea(s) that a piece of writing explores. That said, theme is more than just an idea.

What is the theme of Ted Hughes poems? ›

  • Power of nature. Wind- In the poem, a man is afraid of going out of his house as the wind is fearsome and powerful. ...
  • Relationship / marriage. ...
  • Mental illness. ...
  • War. ...
  • Society. ...
  • Self realization. ...
  • Violence. ...
  • Childhood.

What is the theme of the poem why we play basketball? ›

These lines suggest that the game of basketball isn't just about sport for the characters; it's intertwined with their lives, their growth, and their experiences of love and maturity. It shows how their engagement with the game is influenced by and reflects their journeys.

What is the message idea of the poem? ›

The message of a poem is often conveyed through the emotions and ideas expressed by the poet. By examining the language and structure of the poem, readers can gain insight into the poet's intended message.

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