Who are the main characters in the Contender?
Mr. DonatelliAunt PearlMajorJamesAlfred Brooks
Who appears in church the contender?
It is Sunday morning. Alfred accompanies his three little cousins and Aunt Pearl as they walk to church.
Who is the gang leader in the Contender?
He begins training at a boxing club as an alternative to drugs and gang membership. The novel follows Alfred as his friend James is arrested after robbing the grocery store where Alfred works, and his confrontations with Major, the leader of the local gang, who is responsible for James’ drug addiction.
Who does Alfred work for in the Contender?
the Epsteins
What promotion does Mr Epstein give Alfred at the store?
night manager
What does Mr Donatelli recommend for Alfred?
Most importantly, Donatelli urges Alfred to be a contender, in life as well as in boxing. In both arenas, Donatelli tells Alfred he should let the championships come if they will, but he should not dwell on them. Set the goal for each day’s work, not for the final result.
What gift does Alfred receive before the fight in Chapter 14?
Alfred even receives a robe with his name on the back—a symbol of how far he has come.
What’s the name of Alfred’s first opponent?
Rivera
How much does Alfred weigh in four months how much weight has he gained by training?
How much does Alfred weigh? In four months, how much weight has he gained by training? He weighed 124 1/2 in Chapter 3, but now he’s weighs 134 3/4 pounds, which is 10 1/4 pounds more than earlier.
Why does Alfred want to quit boxing?
Why does Alfred decide to quit the gym? It was because he thought he would never be a boxer.
What does Aunt Pearl think about Alfred’s boxing?
Mr. Donatelli suggests that he retire and go to school instead. What does Aunt Pearl think about Alfred’s boxing? She thinks he should put his energies into a less dangerous activity.
What does Aunt Pearl tell Alfred she will never deny him the opportunity to do?
Aunt Pearl tells Alfred a story about something that happend to her when she was seventeen why does she tell him this story? To explain that she would let him go so he could have the chance to try.
What does Alfred regret not doing?
Why? He wants more money so he’ll have more drugs. What does Alfred regret not doing? He regrets that he didn’t drag him up.
What does Mr Donatelli suggest that Alfred do after Alfred retires?
Donatelli suggested that Spoon retire from boxing and go to night school. Mr. Donatelli and the experience have had a similar effect on Alfred, as Alfred realizes his true aspirations.
Who is Mr Donatelli in the Contender?
Mr. Donatelli is the vehicle through which Alfred changes and evolves as a person. Mr. Donatelli is more than a boxing trainer; he functions as a life teacher. He always tells it like it is, is completely candid, and never sugarcoats the truth.
Who is red in the Contender?
An arrogant, well-built fighter called “Red” treats him rudely. Red is eventually expelled by Bud Martin, Mr. Donatelli’s cagey old assistant. Chapter 6 introduces Alfred, and the reader, to the world of Donatelli’s Gym.
Who is Aunt Pearl in The Contender?
Mr. Donatelli
Why did Alfred go to Madison Square Garden?
Alfred and Henry go to the Madison Square Garden to see a fight. One of Mr. Donatelli’s most promising boxers, Willie Streeter, is fighting an important match. Another one of Donatelli’s boxers, Jelly Belly, joins them, and they talk about Willie Streeter, speculating about his chances at being the next champion.
What does Alfred find out about his boss Lou Epstein?
Mr. Epstein walks in and gives Alfred a pointer, and Alfred realizes that Mr. Epstein is “Lightning Lou Epp,” an old boxer that Bud and some of the others talked about.
Why does Donatelli say it’s time to Alfred?
Donatelli shows he approves of how Alfred handled the sparring match when he tells him” better go downstairs to the dentist it’s time you were fitted for that custom made mouthpieces… Because the implication is that it’s time for him to really have a fight.
Why does Aunt Pearl take Alfred to Reverend Price?
At Sunday morning service, Aunt Pearl asks Reverend Price about the boxing. Alfred secretly hopes that the preacher will make him quit, but Reverend Price wisely sees this as a positive way to direct the young man’s energy for a while.
How does Alfred feel the day after the party?
How does Alfred feel the day after the party? Describe his symptoms. He feels unstable, nauseous, sleepy, and really exhausted in the aftermath of the party.
What does Uncle Wilson suggest to Alfred?
During dinner, Wilson asks Alfred if there is much opportunity for advancement at the store, saying that the world is “opening up for colored people.” Wilson continues to question him about education and trades, and Alfred tunes it out. Alfred’s cousin, Jeff, is in college and is always winning prizes.
What did Alfred do on his afternoon off?
For what volunteer job did Lynn and Harold try to recruit Alfred? What did Alfred do on his afternoon off? Alfred came to a decision which surprised Aunt Pearl.
Why does Alfred live with his aunt?
Alfred Brooks is a black 17-year-old high school dropout who lives with his Aunt Pearl and her three daughters in Harlem. Alfred hopes to overcome the repressive atmosphere of Harlem and find a worthwhile life for himself.
Why does a man need fear in his life?
Why does a man need fear in his life? It is because he must learn to control it, to make it work for him. How can Alfred get into the ring to fight? He can do it by working hard for it.
Why was Alfred waiting for James on Friday night?
Alfred goes looking for James in their old hideaway in Central Park, hoping that he has escaped from the police and is waiting there. He remembers when they were ten years old at a time when he and James sat in their special cave hideaway when Alfred’s father left home.
What happens when Alfred sees James at the grocery store?
Alfred is crushed when he sees that this means he will no longer be trusted with the bank deposit. James also rejects him, turning away from Alfred when he sees James standing outside of the grocery; James walks away like Major.
What reason does Henry give for his limp not being as bad as it once was?
Henry’s limp is the result of suffering from Polio as a child and he is so used to it defining who he is that when he thinks about it, the leg sort of takes over and becomes more of a problem.
What is the difference between being a contender and being a champion?
Donatelli draws an important distinction between being a champion and being a contender. While the odds of one being a champion are slim, he knows that anyone can be a contender. Being a contender is not about raw talent or the kind of innate skill that few possess—being a contender, as Mr. Also, Mr.