Another concept that has intrigued me in reading the book is the game of tennis. Not the game itself, per se, but the notion that a game can have a broader meaning within the context of the novel. I would like to examine the game-as-metaphor motif more deeply. I would also like to go outside the novel and investigate the metaphorical value of other sports in a literary context.
I might begin with...
1. The fact that Hal has to be basically emotionless to be accepted at the university (1st section - Year of Glad)
2. Schtitt's coaching philosophy (79, 119)
3. ritualism of practice (111)
4. three types of players (obsessive, complacent, despairing) (115)
5. substance abuse of athletes (198)
6. Schtact; zen-like balance (266, 461)
7. BMOC jocks get chicks - at least Orin did (295)
8. psychology of competition - need for a guru like Lyle (386)
9. psychology of athlete (459)
10. types of drills (453-456)
On what page is that bit about the tennis ball being the center of the universe, etc.?