This essay was written to answer the question, explore how Nick Hornby utilizes two or more of the following ideas in Slam. The following techniques have been used to portray his ideas in Slam, characterisation, magical realism and setting. These three points will be explained in the following paragraphs.
Through characterisation, Hornby has shown aspects and conflicts in Sam's life that define who he is. An important character that helps develop Sam as a character is Tony Hawk. Tony Hawk is important in Sam's life by offering him a sort of role model or father figure. This was evident at the start of the book when Sam announces, "I talk to Tony Hawk, and Tony Hawk talks back". Tony Hawk is represented as a poster, which Sam talks too, confiding his deepest thoughts and feelings. The replies Sam gets is based on Tony's autobiography. In choosing this coping technique, Hornby shows that Sam lacks any real male adult guidance.
English: Nick Hornby signing books at Central Libr...
Slam (novel)
Tony Hawk Français : Tony Hawk Italiano: Tony Haw...This also shows the power of Hornby's imagination for the character Sam; when lacking a strong male role model, he has had to invent one. As Tony being the older adult, he has a more complex perspective on relationships and life, but sometimes his advice doesn't quite fit. When Sam talks about his problems and hears about Tony's personal life he says, "It's no use to me, all that business about Riley. I'm not a world-famous skater. You're not listening to me". Sam begins to realize there are limits to the advice that Tony can give him. In saying this, Tony and Sam's father are alike, they are too wrapped up in their own world and is not always able to give helpful advice to a sixteen year old. Also, the conversations are limited to what is written in...