Tattoo

As Buford admires the tattoos of the Manchester United supporters with a kind of sick amazement, he reveals a lot to the reader about the people who wear them. The flesh of the supporters is "bright pink... and burning rapidly," implying sensitivity and weakness (48). This weakness is compared to the "hot needle poking its way across the skin, filling the cells underneath it with ink"and suddenly the skin of the supporters does not seem so fragile (49). "The pain... the blood... [and] the rawness" that Buford describes makes the reader cringe and "wonder about the person that would do this to his body" (49). The tattoos that these fans print onto their bodies are not feeble, half-hearted matters. They are full-on, demonic pieces of art are ingrained in their flesh in very conspicuous places. These supporters are very serious. They supporters have made this their life and purpose. Buford, as he realizes this, cannot help but criticize the ridiculous of it while admiring the dedication. He describes the people as "something to behold" and explains the tattoos as "murals on the flesh" (48). However, he cannot help sneaking in sly criticisms such as "and in the hope, perhaps, that Robson would neither be traded to another football club nor ever die" when describing a name tattooed across someone's forehead (49). The tone of this passage is at the same time awed and critical of the behavior exhibited.