The Contender Pre Reading Who Is Your Best Friend

1967 novel past Robert Lipsyte

The Contender

First edition
Writer	Robert Lipsyte
Cover artist	Robert Lipsyte
Country	U.s.a.
Language	English
Genre	Young adult literature
Publisher	Harper & Row
Publication date	1967
Published in English	1968
Media type	Print (hardcover and paperback)
Pages	227 pp
Followed by	The Brave

The Contender is the debut novel by American author and sports journalist Robert Lipsyte. It was published in 1967.

The book's plot centers on a black seventeen-yr-onetime human being named Alfred Brooks, a high schoolhouse dropout living with Aunt Pearl and her three daughters in Harlem, New York Metropolis. He begins preparation at a battle gild 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. Alfred, through a series of related events, learns that life is near more than fighting and winning; it is about existence a contender.

Plot synopsis [edit]

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Characters [edit]

• Alfred Brooks is a 17-year-onetime African American male person and the protagonist of the novel. He recently dropped out of high school and appears to be indecisive about the direction of his life. Orphaned at a young age, he lives in Harlem with his Aunt Pearl and his three cousins. In the first few capacity, Alfred appears shy and uncertain most his futurity. After learning that his best friend James has called a subversive path, Alfred decides to bring together Donatelli'due south Gym and train equally an amateur boxer. Throughout the course of the novel, readers see a timid adolescent transcend into a confident, strong graphic symbol who appears to have found a purpose in life. By the end of the novel, later having won his first ii matches, and putting up a good show in his third friction match, Mr. Donatelli suggests that Alfred retire from boxing because he lacks the "killer instinct" needed to exist a prize-winning fighter, merely suggests that Alfred take his newfound force and conclusion and utilise information technology to a new effort. Alfred does retire after ane last lucifer which he loses, merely in which he earns everyone'southward respect, including that of his opponent. Before the novel closes, Alfred has evolved into a mature, selfless boyish who seems destined to apply what he learned from being a disciplined boxer to having a bright future all the while trying to save his best friend from continuing to be self-subversive.
• Aunt Pearl takes in her nephew Alfred subsequently he is orphaned at an early on historic period. She is a devoted, hard-working, and loving adult female as evidenced by the many sacrifices she makes not merely for her ain three children but for Alfred as well. She too has experienced difficulties in life, some of which she divulges to Alfred. Although in that location are times that her questions seem obtrusive to Alfred, he realizes that she truly has a vested interest in her nephew, and that she does care about his well-existence.
• Major is the adversary of the novel. He is described as a "devil in disguise". Major is responsible for leading Alfred's all-time friend James downwardly a path of crime, drugs, and alcohol. He lives a life of offense and orchestrated a robbery at the Epsteins' grocery store, Alfred's identify of employment. He is the leader of a grouping that has some other characters in it by the names of Hollis and Sonny. These three team up against Alfred and beat him up in the first chapter.
• James is Alfred'south best friend and as well a loftier school dropout. While James only appears minimally, we learn a great deal about him from Alfred's thoughts and what others say about him. He is a weak graphic symbol, as compared to Alfred. Afterwards James robs the grocery store Alfred works at, Epstein'southward, Alfred finds him hiding from the police in their childhood hiding spot in the park. Alfred convinces James that he needs to have responsibility for his recent criminal behavior by entering rehab and accepting his impending time to come jail sentence. Alfred tells him that no matter what, he volition stay by the side of his "old" friend.
• Mr. Donatelli, affectionately called Donatelli by nigh of the novel'due south characters, is owner and manager of Donatelli'south Gym. He becomes Alfred'southward savior by hinting at Alfred's potential to become a respected boxer while encouraging his new protégé to make decisions wisely and to act decisively. Although he comes beyond every bit harsh, he is a human being who has gained respect as a disciplined trainer who cares nearly the well being of his students both mentally and physically, in and out of the band.

Themes [edit]

Themes explored in this novel include problems of socio-economic stance, racism, and fighting for your goals and what you believe in. It besides focuses on positive character development and peer pressure.

Tagline [edit]

Before yous can be a champion, you lot have to be a contender.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Contender_(Lipsyte_novel)

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