What is the message 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.
When was the contender written?
1967
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-year-old man named Alfred Brooks, a high school dropout living with Aunt Pearl and her three daughters in Harlem, New York City.
What is Contender by Robert Lipsyte about?
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 the conflict of the contender?
Antagonist. The struggle of growing up and making the right decisions is Alfred’s major antagonist. Life is made more difficult for him by Major, who tries to tempt black youth into illegal activities. Although Major persuades James to permanently join him, Alfred resists his temptations after a couple of outings.
What genre is The Contender?
Novel
Young adult fiction
The Contender/Genres
Is The Contender a true story?
It stars Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Christian Slater. The film focuses on a fictional United States President (played by Bridges) and the events surrounding his appointment of a new Vice President (Allen). The film serves as a response to the Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton.
What point of view is the contender written in?
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 genre is the book contender?
Who is the antagonist in the Contender?
Major Major
Major is the antagonist of the novel. He represents the cynical, repressive, manipulative side of Harlem that Alfred initially fights to escape and ultimately learns to overcome.
Who is the narrator in the Contender?
point of viewThe point of view is third person limited, reflecting the point of view of Alfred Brooks. toneThe tone in the book is serious, and it is sometimes dismal and graphic in description.
What happens in the end of The Contender?
Alfred tells James that he is going to stick by him, and that they are going to go back to school and that James is going to get a job. Alfred says he will help with everything. James refuses, and Alfred gets up to leave, which makes James relent. The book ends as Alfred walks James to the hospital.
Is there a movie The Contender book?
The Contender is a 2000 American political drama film written and directed by Rod Lurie. It stars Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Christian Slater.
Who is the main character in The Contender?
Mr. Donatelli
Aunt PearlMajorJamesAlfred Brooks
The Contender/Characters
What does Wilson question Alfred about?
During dinner, Wilson asks Alfred if there is much opportunity for advancement at the store, saying that the world is “opening up for colored people.” Wilson continues to question him about education and trades, and Alfred tunes it out.
What does Alfred learn about his robe in the Contender?
Henry reveals that it was he who bought the white terry-cloth robe for Alfred prior to the first fight.
Why does Alfred want to continue boxing?
Why does Alfred want to continue boxing. It was because he wanted to be fully trained like Spoon was.
Why is the contender rated R?
”The Contender” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). It includes profanity and sexual situations.
Why is Alfred looking for James at the beginning of the story?
Alfred goes looking for James in their old hideaway in Central Park, hoping that he has escaped from the police and is waiting there. He remembers when they were ten years old at a time when he and James sat in their special cave hideaway when Alfred’s father left home.
What does James want from Alfred Why?
What does James want from Alfred? Why? He wants more money so he’ll have more drugs.
What type of narrator is present in the Contender?
For the most part, Lipsyte uses a third-person narrative, limited to insight into Alfred’s mind. We see the story through Alfred’s eyes. The narrative is linear, which means that it proceeds within a certain timeframe from beginning to middle to end. We usually know what month it is and often which day of the week.
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.
Is The Contender a good film?
The movie has plenty going for it: a terrific cast led by Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman, a captivating story line, a sharp script. Most important, The Contender has timing. Thoughtful, enjoyable film for older teens.
What was Aunt Pearls Dream in the Contender?
Pearl’s role in the novel is enhanced when we learn that she, too, had dreams of a career, in singing, when she was Alfred’s age, but unlike Alfred, she didn’t see whether she could be a contender. That experience informs her and helps her to accept Alfred’s choices.
How does Alfred say he will help James get his life together?
What did Alfred do for James in the Contender?
Alfred does that for James at the end of the book. It takes some coaxing, but James eventually responds to Alfred. For him, Alfred is the only person in the entire world who understands and cares to help him, and knowing that is enough to motivate James to change at the end of the book.