Pop

Marcus is the protagonist of Pop, and his internal conflict revolves around his relationship with football. As a player, he’s been described as having “all the right tools, the full range of weapons—and none of the guts” (23): He has speed and strength but backs away from intense physical contact. As the new kid in town, Marcus is eager to prove himself and become the star player he knows he can be, but the team is loyal to current quarterback Troy for his role in the previous season’s victories. Thus, Marcus’s practice sessions at Three Alarm Park with Charlie are Marcus’s proving grounds. As he learns to take hits from a former NFL player, Marcus’s confidence on the school team grows until he starts standing out for his skill as an offensive player. Marcus’s improvement backdrops the growing tension between him and Troy, and it also highlights the preferential treatment athletes receive in the town. Even when Marcus is switched to cornerback (a defensive position), he continues to play with an offensive style, making his character a symbol for the controversy surrounding contact sports.