What is the genre of the contender

This acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.

Is the contender fiction or nonfiction?

This acclaimed novel by celebrated sportswriter Robert Lipsyte, the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in YA fiction, is the story of a young boxer in Harlem who overcomes hardships and finds hope in the ring on his path to becoming a contender.

What is Contender by Robert Lipsyte about?

The Contender is the debut novel by American author and sports journalist Robert Lipsyte. … 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.

What is the theme of The Contender?

The major theme of the novel is the difficulty of growing up and finding an identity. At the beginning of the novel, Alfred Brooks presents himself as a timid boy who is afraid to stand up for himself and who has no vision for his future.

What is the tone in the Contender?

toneThe tone in the book is serious, and it is sometimes dismal and graphic in description. setting (time)The book takes place in relatively modern times, perhaps within the decade of the 1970s.

What is the difference between being a contender and being a champion?

Mr. 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.

How tall is Alfred in the Contender?

How tall is Alfred? He is about five feet and seven and three-quarter inches tall.

What is the setting of the contender?

The novel is set in Harlem, New York, the same place that forms the background for many of the novels of reputed black writers like Richard Wright and James Baldwin. The Contender shows the Harlem of mid-twentieth century, when the blacks were becoming restless.

Why does Alfred live with Aunt Pearl?

Alfred is a 17-year-old living in Harlem, NY. His father left when Alfred was ten, and his mother died three years later, so Alfred lives with his Aunt Pearl and her 3 daughters. His life has been somewhat routine since he dropped out of high school and started working at the Epstein family’s grocery store.

How did the contender end?

The fight ends in a draw. Donatelli takes Alfred to the gym and tells him that it is time to retire because Alfred does not have “the killer instinct” and that he can tell Alfred does not really enjoy fighting. Alfred says he knows Mr. Donatelli was referring to more than boxing when he talked about being a contender.

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How is Harlem described in the Contender?

Harlem is a self-contained community that provides its black inhabitants with clubs, movie theaters, stadiums, gyms, schools, stores, and churches.

Who is the narrator in the Contender?

The novel is written in the third person and the point of view is that of the main character in the story, Alfred Brooks.

What happens in chapter 4 of the contender?

After worship services, Alfred, Aunt Pearl, and the girls ride the subway to Jamaica, a suburban village in Queens, to visit Pearl’s sister Dorothy and her family. Dorothy’s husband, Wilson, has a good job and has purchased a house. … At the end of the day, Alfred, Aunt Pearl, and the girls return to Harlem.

Who is Alfred Brooks?

Alfred Brooks is a black seventeen-year-old high school dropout who lives with his Aunt Pearl and her three daughters in Harlem. … Donatelli tells Alfred that a contender is willing to pay the price. He will “sweat and bleed” to get as high as his talent, courage, and character will take him.

Who is the round character in The Contender?

Alfred is a very real, dynamic character. He has flaws—almost fatal ones—and sometimes acts in ways that can make us cringe.

Who is Jelly Belly in the Contender?

ABDr. Coreythe dentist who lives downstairs from the gymJelly Bellya fighter from the gym who eats a lotWillie Streetertrained by Mr. Donatelli, lost the big fight to Junius BeckerLou EpsteinAlfred’s Boss

Is Alfred Brooks a real person?

Alfred Brooks, English businessman, co-founder of Justerini & Brooks.

What gift did Henry give Alfred before the fight?

At the ring, Alfred meets Donatelli who tells him that Henry will stand in the corner during the fight. They get Alfred ready for the fight, dressing him in a new terrycloth robe with his name on the back.

What kind of rally does Alfred Aunt Pearl and the girls pass by?

The next morning on the way to church, Alfred passes a nationalist rally where people are getting riled up over the issue of black rights.

Why do police stop Alfred?

James and the other three bemoan their lack of money, and they contemplate robbing Epsteins’ grocery store—the place where Alfred works. Alfred tries to stop them because he knows that on Fridays, the Epsteins leave all the money in the cash register in observance of the Sabbath.

Why doesn't Alfred warn James about the recently installed alarm system?

Why doesn’t Alfred warn them about the alarm system? He wants them to get into trouble. He does not know about the alarm system.

Who comes into the store but Alfred avoids him in Chapter 12?

Work drags and Alfred avoids everyone—Henry, the clubhouse, and the gym. A few days later, he decides to empty his locker. He apologizes to Mr. Donatelli for quitting and asks if he would have been any good had he continued.

What happens in Chapter 7 of the Contender?

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.

Where do Alfred and Henry go?

Alfred and Henry were taken to the Gestapo headquarters in Lyon.

Who bought the robe for Alfred?

Donatelli will let him continue. Alfred says there is no chance. Henry tells Alfred how much he enjoyed training him, and Henry mentions that he is the one who bought Alfred his boxing robe. Alfred is touched and sad that he and Henry will not be training together anymore.

How does James get hurt the contender?

James is in trouble. He broke through Epsteins’ front window earlier that night, cutting himself but escaping as the police arrived. He is hurt and in hiding.

What happens to Alfred when he reaches his street?

What happens to Alfred when he reaches his street? He crashes onto the pavement and Sonny started bleeding really bad. How come Alfred does not ask the police officers for help? It was because he didn’t know about the alarm, and then he fainted.

Who is Henry Why does Alfred duck to avoid him?

That night, Alfred goes out, avoiding streets where he might meet Major or his henchmen. Alfred sees Henry Johnson but avoids him, too, because he is in no mood to express gratitude. Without consciously meaning to, Alfred winds up in front of the building housing Donatelli’s Gym.

What happened in Chapter 5 of the contender?

Alfred runs early in the park until two policemen step out from behind the bushes and tell him to stop. They ask Alfred why he is running at this time of the morning; when he tells them he is in training for boxing, they do not believe him.

What boxing advice does Dr Corey give to Alfred?

Corey give to Alfred? He says, “The stomach is more important than the chin. Hit the chin and you may break your hand. Kill the belly and the head will die.“

What did Major want Alfred to do?

Major wants to be a part of Alfred’s life because he sees that Alfred is going somewhere. But Major doesn’t just want to ride along; he wants to derail the train. He knows that the best way to reach Alfred is through James, so he tempts Alfred with an invitation to a party at the clubroom that James will attend.