About the Author:
• Robert Michael Lipsyte was
born January 16, 1938, in New
York, New York, the son of
Sidney I. and Fanny Lipsyte.
He grew up in Rego Park, a
neighborhood in Queens.
Lipsyte’s father was a school
principal, his mother a teacher.
Young Robert devoted his
childhood to books rather than
sports. Instead of sharing a
game of catch with his father,
the two often visited the library.
More about Robert Lypsyte
• His first job, at the age of 19, was as a copyboy
in the sports department for the New York Times.
• Then finally at 21, he became a reporter. He
covered the New York Mets game. He also
covered the heavy weight championship fight
between Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay. He got
sent because they figured Liston would knock
out the kid in the first round. So why waste the
real reporters time. However, Cassius Clay beat
Liston. This is where he got his idea for “The
Contender”.
His Books
Fiction
Non Fiction
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• Heroes of Baseball
• In the Country of
Illness: Comfort and
Advice for the
Journey
Raiders Night
The Contender
The Brave
The Chief
Warrior Angel
One Fat Summer
Sports
• How have sports played a role in your
life? Or if not so much in your life, how
about the lives of those around you?
• What does it mean to say that for some
sports are a tool of freedom?
• Think about the above statement and
jot down a couple of ideas.
• Now turn to a partner and compare
answers.
• The Contender is a coming-of-age novel whose
protagonist, a black seventeen-year-old high
school dropout named Alfred Brooks, lives with
his Aunt Pearl and her three daughters in
Harlem, a predominantly African American
neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, in
the mid-1960s. Alfred’s father deserted the
family when Alfred was ten years old; his mother
died when he was thirteen. On both occasions,
his best friend, James, stood by him.
Major Themes:
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Importance of friendship
Perseverance
Code of ethics (Right and wrong)
The journey is more important than the
destination
• There are no guarantees
• Accountability
Civil Rights
1. Listen to/read the
speech from Martin
Luther King.
2. Read the news
article on Civil
Rights
3. Answer Questions
on loose-leaf.
• http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeche
s/mlkihaveadream.htm (For video of
speech.)
Chapter 1
1. Write a 50-75 word summary of the chapter.
2. Provide a brief introduction to all new characters
(be sure to leave room to add on)
3. Find two examples that Harlem is a rough city.
4. James doesn’t really have a mind of his own
when it comes to his friends. Give one example
of something he does to support this statement.
5. Alfred is blamed for the police burst. Why?
6. Where does Alfred wait for James?
Chapter 1: Vocabulary
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Perpetual
Shadowbox
Shamble
Sheepish
Swagger
Synagogue
Chapter 1: Vocabulary
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Perpetual
Shadowbox
Shamble
Sheepish
Swagger
Synagogue
True and False
• 1. James is on time for his movie date with
Alfred
• 2. Major turns Alfred upside down and takes his
money.
• 3. Alfred had dropped out of school.
• 4. Alfred agrees that Epsteins’ store should be
robbed, but he doesn’t want to be part of it.
• 5. The cave was always used as their hide-out
when Alfred and James had done wrong.
Questions
• 1. What is the purpose of Chapter 1?
• 2. What conflicts did you notice?
• 3. Who is the Protagonist? Secondary
characters? Sentence.
• 4. Who is/are the antagonists? Sentence.
• 5. Why does Alfred run away when Aunt
Pearl questions him about James?
• 6.What reasons does James give for wanting to
rob the Epsteins’ story?
• 7. Why is Alfred unwilling to rob the store?
• 8. “You just a slave, “ sneered Major. What is a
slave?
• 9. To what or whom does Major think Alfred is
being a slave?
• 10. What was James’ ambition once?
• 11. Why does it not seem to ve his ambition
now?
• 12. How does Alfred feel about James?
Why?
• 13. How do you know that Alfred and
James are not as close as they once
were?
• 15. What does Henry suggest Alfred do?
• 16. What stereotypes are described by
characters in Chapter 1?
Chapter 2
1. 50-75 word summary of the chapter.
2. Provide a brief introduction to all new characters (be
sure to leave room to add on).
3. Why do you think Alfred has decided to go to the gym?
4. Why doesn’t Alfred tell his Aunt the truth about who beat
him up?
5. Name one more example that shows Alfred lives in a
less-than-desirable neighborhood.
6. Draw a picture of one of the following:
a) Alfred, beaten up
c) Donatelli’s gym
b) Aunt Pearl’s apartment
d) the clubhouse
Chapter 2: Vocabulary
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Addict
callous
Fix
antiseptic
junky
burrow
delicatessen
liniment
Chapter 2: Vocabulary
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Addict
callous
Fix
antiseptic
junky
burrow
delicatessen
liniment
Chapter 2: True or False
Statements
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1.Aunt Perl is a religious woman.
2. Alfred has three young cousins.
3. James is arrested for beating Alfred.
4.Although they are poor. Aunt Perl makes
sure that each child has a bedroom.
• 5.Alfred is glad to see Henry and is glad
for his help.
Chapter 2: Questions
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1. According to Alfred’s story to Aunt Perl, how was he hurt?
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2. Why does Aunt Pearl cry while she is talking to Alfred as he lies
in bed?
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3. Why does Alfred think about staying in bed forever?
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4. Why doesn’t the television program interest Alfred?
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5. Why does he momentarily envy the addicts he passes in the
hallway?
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6. Why does he dismiss the taking of drugs as the way for him?
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7. Of all the things that are wrong, what bothers Alfred the most?
Chapter 3
1. Provide a brief introduction to all new characters
(be sure to leave room to add on).
2. What types of workouts must Alfred do?
3. What does Donatelli say about being a
contender? Why does Alfred need to be this
before he even thinks about being a
champion?
4. What does Donatelli mean when he says “It’s
the climbing that makes the man. Getting to
the top is an extra reward.”
Chapter 3: Vocabulary
• Tenement
• Murky
• Swivel
Chapter 3: Vocabulary
• Tenement: a building or apartment with
rooms rented cheaply.
• Murky: dark, gloomy or cheerless.
• Swivel : a fastening device that allows the
thing fastened to it to turn around freely
upon it.
Chapter 3: True and False
• 1. Most of the boys who come to the gym expect
to get into the ring immediately.
• 2. The peanut bag is a small brown leather bag
which boxers use to improve speed and timing.
• 3. Eating three large meals a day is necessary to
become a contender.
• 4. Donatelli thinks that it will be easy for Alfred to
be a contender since he had the courage to
come to the gym alone.
• 5. Donatelli encourages Alfred to return to the
gym.
Chapter 3: Questions
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1. While Alfred is walking down the street, he thinks he sees Major
and he runs. He later realizes that it is not Major and then thinks to
himself, “Slave.” To whom is he referring?
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2. What makes Alfred go to the gym and tell Donatelli, “I come . . . to
be . . . a fighter”?
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3. Describe Donatelli.
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4. What does Donatelli tell Alfred about fear?
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5. How does fighting in the street differ from fighting in the ring,
according to Donatelli?
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6. Why did Alfred quit school?
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7. Why is this important to Donatelli?
Chapter 4
1. What is a nationalist? (page 27)
2. Give one example that shows the black
people are unhappy with their situation.
3. Who are “the devil’s agents”? (page 30)
4. How is Alfred’s Uncle Wilson different
from most of the black people Alfred
knows?
5. What do the protesters mean when they
call Alfred a “happy little darky”?
Chapter 4: Vocabulary
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Lectern
serene
lope
tambourine
Chapter 4: True and False
• 1. The Reverend Price says, “The white man’s got his
foot on your throat. You gonna lick his shoe?”
• 2. Major goes to church with Alfred and his family.
• 3. Aunt Pearl sings in the choir.
• 4.Alfred’s Aunt and uncle do not live in Harlem.
• 5. Uncle Wilson questions Alfred about his future.
Chapter 4: Questions
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1. The nationalist speaker at the street rally says,
“The white man’s got his foot on your throat. You
gonna lick his shoe”. The first sentence is a figure
of speech, not meant to be taken literally. What is
really meant?
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2. Why does the author include the episodes about
the street rally, Alfred’s encounter with the boy in
the horn-rimmed glasses, and the church service –
in particular Reverend Price’s sermon? What
purpose do these three events serve?
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3. What is Alfred’s reaction to his uncle’s remarks
and to his uncle’s life in general?
Chapter 5
1. Why are the police officers suspicious of Alfred
running?
2. What is going to happen to James? For
punishment?
3. What do the Epsteins mean when they say “no
point tempting fate”? (page 40/55) What do
they do to prove they mean it?
4. Why does Alfred feel foolish for running earlier
that morning?
Chapter 5: Vocabulary
• Nooks
• Crannies
• Probation
Chapter 5: True and False
• 1. Two policemen stop Alfred when he is running in the
park.
• 2. The judge gives James a year in jail.
• 3. Alfred tells Lou the names of the boys who were
involved in the attempted robbery.
• 4. Alfred takes the grocery money to the bank before
going home.
• 5. Alfred thinks about helping James rob the Epstein’s
store.
Chapter 5: Summary
• Write a 10 sentence summary of chapter
5.
Chapter 6
1. How does Alfred feel when he enters the
gym?
2. What advice does Dr Corey give Alfred?
What does it mean?
3. What type of character is Red? Give one
example.
4. What does Bud do to Red? Why?
5. What is Alfred going to see tonight?
Chapter 7
1. What happened to Streeter while fighting?
2. Why did Donatelli stop the fight?
3. What is Spoon studying to be?
4. Why did Donatelli stop him from fighting?
5. How does Alfred’s great night end?
Chapter 7: Vocabulary
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Attache case
jostle
triumph
elegant,
Upholster
marquee
preliminary
Chapter 7: Vocabulary Answers
• Attache case:
a small rectangular case for carrying
documents (brief case).
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jostle : to push or collide.
Triumph: a great success or achievement.
Elegant: tasteful, stylish or refined in appearance.
Upholster: provide furniture with upholstery (textile covering,
springs etc. for furniture).
• marquee: canopy over the entrance to a large building.
• preliminary: introductory, preparatory or first.
Chapter 7: True and False
• 1. Henry, Jelly Belly, and Alfred go to see
a fight at Madison Square Garden.
• 2. As he watches the fight, Alfred thinks
about James.
• 3. Donatelli is Willie Streeter’s manager.
• 4. Willie wins the fight by a knockout.
• 5. Sonny, Hollis and Major are waiting for
Alfred when he arrives home.
Chapter 7: Questions
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1. Who wins the fight, Becker or Streeter?
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2. Why is the fight stopped?
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3. How does Streeter feel about it?
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4. What did Witherspoon do before he
became a teacher?
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5. Why did he quit?
Chapter 7: Questions
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6. Alfred thinks, as he walks home alone,
that Sugar Ray and Cassius were “men
enough to be sweet. “What does that
mean?
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7. How does this statement apply to Red?
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8. Describe Jelly Belly. What are his
chances of becoming a champion boxer?
Why?6.
Chapter 8
1. When Alfred gets home from Madison
Square Garden, he is approached by
Major, Sonny, and Hollis. What is Alfred’s
reply to Major’s request? Why?
2. How does his attitude affect Major?
3. How might Alfred’s handling of the
situation be related to his future success
as a fighter?
Chapter 9
1. Is Aunt Pearl pleased or displeased when
Alfred tells her he wants to be a boxer?
Why?
2. Why does Aunt Pearl take Alfred to see
the Reverend Price?
3. Does the Reverend Price help either
Alfred or Aunt Pearl? Explain.
Chapter 10
1. After the third week of training, how does Alfred
feel about his job and his treatment at
Epsteins?
2. What advice does Lou Epstein give Alfred about
boxing? Why?
3. What is Lou Epstein’s opinion of Donatelli?
4. Why is Alfred left alone in the apartment in July?
5. After watching Alfred spar, both Donatelli and
Henry ask him if anything is the matter. Alfred
says no, but it is easy to see he is a bad mood.
What is the cause of this mood?
Chapter 11, 12, 13, and 14
Worksheet: Vocabulary, True and
False, Questions
Chapter 11
1. Who convinces Alfred to drink at the
party?
2. What is the girl like that Alfred meets?
3. How has James changed since Alfred
saw him last?
4. What drug is James into?
Chapter 12
1.How does Alfred feel the next morning?
2.Who comes to pick Alfred up the next day?
3.Where does Major get the car?
4.Why does a stranger think Alfred is a “junkie”?
5.Why does Alfred decide to quit the gym?
6.Explain, “Anyone can be taught to fight? A
contender, that you have to teach yourself”?
7.What does Donatelli mean by, “When you got
hurt in the ring, really hurt, then I would know.”
Chapter 13
1. What time of year is it?
2. What does Mr. Epstein do to prove to
Alfred that he trusts him?
3. What does Mr. Donatelli mean by “We
had better get you fitted for that custom
made mouthpiece.”
Chapter 14
1. What big secret is Alfred keeping from Aunt
Pearl?
2. Where does Alfred go to relax before his fight?
3. What story is told about James?
4. What is Alfred’s pre-game meal?
5. Who is Alfred going to fight?
6.What is the fight like?
7.Why does Donatelli say, “That’s not enough”, at
the very end of the chapter?
Chapter 15, 16 & 17
Work sheet
Chapter 15 True or False
1. Aunt Pearl learns from Lou Epstein that Alfred
has a bout.
2. 2. Alfred tells Aunt Pearl that it is his last bout.
3. 3. When Aunt Pearl was young, she was
offered a job in a chorus.
4. 4.Aunt Pearl’s mother was thrilled about a
stage career for her daughter.
5. 5.Aunt Pearl’s husband deserted he and the
children.
Chapter 16 True or False
1. 1. Alfred knocks out Griffin in the first round.
2. 2. Alfred feels alone and sick after the fight
with Griffin.
3. 3. Alfred apologizes to Griffin after the fight.
4. 4.When Alfred goes to work, Lou Epstein tells
him to take the day off.
5. 5.Harold and Lynn convince Alfred to join the
peace march.
Chapter 17 True or False
1. 1. Alfred and his family have Thanksgiving
dinner with Aunt Dorothy and her family.
2. 2. Jeff boxed for a while during his college
days.
3. 3. Aunt Dorothy wants her son to go to Africa.
4. 4.Uncle Wilson wants Jeff to work for a
corporation.
5. 5.Alfred decides to go back to school at night.
Chapter 15, 16 &17 Questions
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1. What does Alfred learn about Aunt Pearl after his
first fight?
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2. Do you think that Aunt Pearl is an understanding
person?
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3. What is the outcome of Alfred’s bout with
Griffin? How does Alfred feel about it?
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4. What do Harold and Lynn ask Alfred to do?
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5. How does Alfred feel about it?
Chapter 15, 16 &17 Questions
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6. What are Uncle Wilson’s views on how to
succeed?
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7. What is Alfred’s answer to Jeff’s question about
whether he likes boxing?
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8. What decision about school does Alfred
announce at the Thanksgiving dinner? Are you
surprised by Aunt Pearl?
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9. Do you think Alfred has changed? If so How?
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10. Who is waiting for Alfred when He arrives
home on Thanksgiving? What happens?
Chapter 15
1. What story does Aunt Pearl tell about
when she was 17?
2. What message was she trying to send
Alfred?
3. Is Alfred going to quit?
Chapter 16
1. Why does Alfred want to see Griffin after
he knocks him out?
2. Why is Alfred upset? Do you think Alfred
will be a good fighter?
3. Why do they want Alfred to get involved in
a recreation program?
Chapter 17
1. Why did Alfred feel this was the “best
Thanksgiving ever”?
2. What do Jeff and his father argue about?
3. Who has encouraged Alfred to finish
school?
4. How does Jeff say Alfred has changed?
5. What does James need? What is wrong
with him?
Chapter 18
1. At the beginning of Chapter 18, what’s
wrong with Alfred?
2. What is “a draw”?
3. Why does Donatelli want Alfred to retire?
Chapter 19
1. Why is Alfred nervous?
2. Why does Henry say he doesn’t limp so bad
anymore?
3. Who bought Alfred the robe?
4. Why does Donatelli want to cancel Alfred’s fight
against Hubbard?
5. What happens during the fight? Who wins?
6. Explain “Now you know, Alfred. Now you know,
too”.
Chapter 20
1. Why were the police looking for James?
2. Why does Alfred want to help James?
3. How does Alfred say he will help James?
4. What do you think will happen to James?
5. Did you like the ending of this book?
Why or why not? How would you have
preferred it to end? Explain.
Writing Assignment
Write a brief sequel to The Contender –
telling what you think Alfred’s life is like
when he is in his late twenties. Given the
direction that Alfred’s life is taking at the
end of the novel, what do you imagine
him doing in ten years. (300-400 words)
* Include a Brainstorm, a rough draft and a
good copy
The Hurricane
• 1. Record 5 things that you learned about
Boxing through the viewing of The
Hurricane.
• 2. List 5 events/elements that you learned
about the 1960’s setting.
• 3. Record 5 similarities between the
movie and The Contender. Focus on
Carter;s early life, and his boxing career.
Major Themes
• With a partner brainstorm some themes
from the novel. Write them in your book
and be prepared to discuss them with the
class.
• Importance of friendship
• Perseverance – never giving up
• The journey is more important than the
destination
Test Questions
• With a partner create:
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5 Multiple choice questions
5 True and False questions
4 Short Answers
1 Essay question
• Pass in questions and answers.