Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 1
1. What is the setting of the novel?
2. Do you think Alfred knows that James is not coming to meet him? If so, why does he
continue to wait?
3. Where does Alfred find James?
4. Describe Hollis, Sonny, and Major.
5. Why do Hollis, Sonny, and Major press Alfred for information about the grocery store where
he works?
6. What do they find out about where he works?
7. What had Alfred forgotten to tell them about and why is this important?
8. What is the significance/importance of the cave?
9. What background information is given about Alfred (family, etc.)?
10. Why does Alfred get beaten up?
11. Who gets caught robbing the store?
Chapter 2
1. Why does Alfred wish he could stay in bed forever?
2. Describe the atmosphere of Harlem. (What was it like there?)
3. How had Henry helped Alfred after the fight with Major, Hollis, and Sonny?
4. What motivates Alfred to go to the gym?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 3
1. How does Donatelli treat Alfred when he meets him the first time?
2. What does he tell him about learning to fight/box?
3. What is a contender?
4. Why does Donatelli consider it important to be a contender?
Chapter 4
1. Who are Dorothy and Wilson? Where do they live?
2. Why is Uncle Wilson so proud of his son?
3. What is Alfred’s attitude toward Jeff?
4. What type of job does Wilson suggest Alfred should look at pursuing? How does Alfred feel
about this suggestion?
5. What is significant about the fact that Alfred sets the alarm clock?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 5
1. How does the policeman’s sudden interruption spoil Alfred’s first morning jog?
2. Why do you think Alfred doesn’t tell Aunt Pearl what he’s doing?
3. How were things “different” at the store after the robbery attempt?
4. What does Lou Epstein tell Alfred about James?
Chapter 6
1. Who is Dr. Corey? What is the significance/importance of Alfred accidentally meeting him?
2. What does Bud Martin say after his argument with Red?
3. Describe Bud.
4. What type of atmosphere does the gym have?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 7
1. Why did Donatelli decide to stop Willie Streeter’s Madison Square Garden fight?
2. What does this tell you about Donatelli?
3. Do you think that Willie had a right to be upset with Mr. Donatelli? Why or why not?
4. What do you learn about Spoon (Bill Witherspoon)?
5. What is Alfred’s attitude toward Henry?
6. Who does Alfred run into at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 8
1. What does Alfred refuse to do for Major?
2. How does Major threaten Alfred?
3. Why might Alfred consider himself a champion after the confrontation with Hollis, Sonny,
and Major?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 9
1. How does Aunt Pearl feel about Alfred’s involvement in boxing?
Chapter 10
1. What is the effect on Alfred of the first weeks of training?
2. What advice does Lou Epstein give Alfred about boxing? Why?
3. How does Alfred feel about all the training he is doing?
4. What is Dr. Corey going to make for Alfred? How is this significant?
5. Why is Alfred starting to get frustrated with boxing?
Chapter 11
1. Why do you think Alfred goes to the party at the clubhouse?
2. How does Major treat Alfred? Why?
3. Alfred meets up with James and tries to help him. What happens?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 12
1. Who calls Alfred? Where are they going?
2. How does Alfred twist his right ankle?
3. Major has beaten Alfred up in Chapter 1. How does he hurt him this time?
4. Give two examples of Alfred being irresponsible in this chapter.
5. When Alfred decides to quit boxing, he asks Donatelli if he could have been a contender.
What does Donatelli tell him?
Chapter 13
1. What does Mr. Epstein tell Alfred he should learn to do at the store? Why is this important?
2. What is the significance of Donatelli telling Alfred to go downstairs and to get fitted for a
mouthpiece?
Chapter 14
1. Why has Donatelli lost confidence in Jelly Belly?
2. Why do Alfred and Henry go to Spoon’s apartment?
3. What does Alfred notice about Spoon’s apartment? His neighborhood?
4. What is the “ice ball” that Alfred refers to?
5. Describe Alfred’s first fight. (Who is the opponent? How is he different from Alfred? What
happens in each of the three rounds?)
6. Why is Donatelli dissatisfied with Alfred’s victory? What does he mean when he says,
“Winning is not enough.”?
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 15
1. What does Aunt Pearl tell Alfred about the stage opportunity she missed? Why?
Chapter 16
1. Describe Alfred’s fight against Griffin.
2. Alfred knocks out Griffin, but is bothered by the victory. Why?
Chapter 17
1. Alfred and Jeff get along at Thanksgiving. How do they impress one another?
2. What is Wilson’s reaction when he hears that Jeff had tried boxing?
3. What announcement does Alfred make about his education?
4. Describe the person who is waiting for Alfred when he gets home.
Name
English 9
The Contender
Period
Chapter 18
1. Who was Alfred fighting at the beginning of this chapter?
2. Describe Alfred’s attitude in this fight.
3. Why does Donatelli tell Alfred it is time to quit?
4. Why does Alfred refuse to quit? Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
Chapter 19
1. Who bought the robe for Alfred? Why?
2. Why does Alfred not want to forget the “cold spot” in his stomach?
3. Why didn’t Mr. Donatelli want Alfred to fight Hubbard?
4. Why does Alfred insist on fighting?
5. What convinces Mr. Donatelli to let him?
6. Describe the fight with Hubbard.
7. What does Donatelli mean when he says, “Now you now, Alfred. Now you know, too.”?
Chapter 20
1. Where does Alfred find James? What shape is he in?
2. What does Alfred want to do for James?
3. How does he convince James to come with him?