The Contender Study Questions - Answer each question as you read the novel.
Chapters 1 and 2
1. Why is Alfred looking for James at the beginning of the story?
2. What sort of job does Alfred have?
3. Why is Alfred sorry he talked to Major about the Epsteins?
4. Why do Major and the others beat Alfred after the attempted robbery?
5. What is Alfred’s opinion of the TV show about the boy and the robot?
6. Why does Alfred think about Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson as he looks at Donatelli’s gym?
7. After the attempted robbery, one bystander grumbles, “Only reason po-lice up here to watch out for them white stores” (p.10). Do police today treat black-owned business any differently from white-owned businesses?
8. What will the man say and do once he is finished inspecting Alfred?
Chapters 3 and 4
1. According to Mr. Donatelli, what is a boxer’s training schedule like?
2. Does Mr. Donatelli encourage Alfred?
3. Mr. Donatelli mentions two ways that people around Alfred will try to drag him down as he trains. What are these?
4. How do the nationalist speaker and some of those in the crowd feel about whites?
5. What is the gist of Reverend Price’s sermon about relations between blacks and whites?
6. How has Alfred’s life been different from his cousin Jeff’s?
7. Why do you think Mr. Donatelli–a boxing trainer–questions Alfred about why he quit high school? Do you think he asks the same kinds of questions the first time any guy comes to the gym?
8. How will the Epsteins treat Alfred when he returns to work?
Hipskind Study Questions, 4 of 5
The Contender
1/09
Chapters 5 and 6
1. Alfred’s mood is upbeat as he starts his run. Reread the first paragraph on page 50 and list images that appeal to each of these senses: sight, hearing, smell, and touch.
2. Why do the police stop Alfred?
3. What job do the Epsteins take away from Alfred? Why?
4. The first day at the gym, why does Alfred feel the urge to leave?
5. According to Bud, how does Red compare with Joe Louis, Cassius Clay, and Sugar Ray?
6. Why does Bud tell everyone not to tell Mr. Donatelli about his fight with Red?
7. Why do you think Alfred does not tell Mr. Epstein who the other boys in involved in the robbery are?
8. What will Alfred learn by watching the fight?
Chapters 7 and 8
1. In describing the people who work at Madison Square Garden, what word does the author use repeatedly to emphasize the gruffness?
2. Who does the crowd seem to favor–Willie Streeter or Junius Becker?
3. What is a TKO and why does the referee call one in this fight?
4. Why does Jelly say, “Willie showed some dog tonight”?
5. Why does Henry say, “You got KO’d, right?” when Alfred thanks him for helping to carry him home earlier.
6. How do Major and Hollis threaten Alfred?
7. What do you think Alfred should do to keep safe from Major?
8. Will Alfred change his mind by Thursday and disconnect the Epstein’s burglar alarm?
Chapters 9 and 10
1. How do the police partners treat Alfred now?
2. How does Alfred try to convince his aunt that boxing is a good idea?
3. Why does Alfred‘s aunt take him to Reverend Price?
4. Who is “Lightning Lou Epp”?
5. Why do Jelly and Pete argue?
6. Why does Alfred decide to go to the clubroom?
7. Would you go to the clubroom if you were Alfred? What are some of the reasons for and against going?
8. What will happen when Alfred goes to the clubroom?
Chapters 11 and 12
1. Who is Arlene and how do you imagine her to look?
2. How can you tell that James is taking drugs?
3. Why does the party become a “sweet sticky blur” for Alfred?
4. What message does Alfred forget to give his Aunt Dorothy? Why?
5. Why do Alfred and the others leap out of the Cadillac?
6. Why does Alfred want to quit boxing–and why does he change his mind?
7. Why do you think Alfred accepts the wine and marijuana?
8. How will Alfred’s first fight go?
Chapters 13 and 14
1. How can you tell that Mr. Epstein is proud of Alfred’s boxing?
2. Why does Mr. Epstein give Bud money?
3. How does Mr. Donatelli show that he approves of how Alfred handled his sparring match with Jose?
4. How does Aunt Pearl sense that something is up, the morning of Alfred’s fight?
5. How does Alfred spend his time at Spoon’s before the fight?
6. Why does Donatelli reprimand Alfred after he wins the fight, saying, “You can’t listen to the crowd”?
7. Do you think the crowd’s heckling hurt Alfred’s boxing?
8. What will Alfred’s family–Aunt Pearl, Uncle Wilson, Aunt Dorothy, and Jeff–have to say about Alfred’s boxing career?
Chapters 15, 16, and 17
1. Why isn’t Aunt Pearl surprised to learn that Alfred had a boxing match?
2. What opportunity was offered to Aunt Pearl when she was 17? Why didn’t she take it?
3. How does Alfred feel after winning the fight against Griffin by knockout?
4. When Alfred meets Harold handing out leaflets in front of the school, what does Harold propose?
5. What new plans for the future do Jeff and Alfred bring up during the get-together at Uncle Wilson’s?
6. To whom does Alfred give $6? Why?
7. Why do you think Uncle Wilson would prefer for Jeff to go to Africa than to become a “street worker” who is trying to improve his community?
8. What will happen to James?
Hipskind Study Questions, 4 of 5
The Contender
1/09
Chapters 18, 19, and 20
1. Why doesn’t Alfred punch Barnes when Barnes leaves his face unprotected?
2. Why does Mr. Donatelli say, “It’s time” to Alfred?
3. What does Mr. Donatelli suggest that Alfred do after Alfred retires?
4. Why did Spoon talk to a doctor at the narcotics clinic?
5. What does Alfred learn about his robe?
6. What is Alfred thinking about as he fights Elston Hubbard? Does Alfred win?
7. How does James get hurt?
8. Why does Alfred mention the night his mother died?
9. How does Alfred say he will help James get his life together?
10. Why is Alfred so much more optimistic about the future than James?
Hipskind Study Questions, 4 of 5
The Contender
1/09