CliffsNotes on

The Contender

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About the Author

Personal Background
Education and Early Work
Career Highlights
Works of Nonfiction

About the Novel

Introduction
A Brief History of Harlem
Black Nationalism
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
Character Map

Summaries and Commentaries

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapters 14 and 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20

Character Analyses

Alfred Brooks
James
Mr. Donatelli
Spoon
Major
Aunt Pearl
Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Wilson
Lou Epstein

Critical Essays

Setting as Symbol
Major Themes
Style Enhances Substance

Study Help

Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

Would you rather . . . ?

Have a third arm.
Have hair down to your toes.
Have no nose.

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Study Help

Quiz

1:  The setting for the novel is in an area of New York City known as

a. Union Square

b. Queens

c. Coney Island

d. Harlem
2:  After James quits school, be starts hanging out with a gang led by which of the following characters?

a. Sonny

b. Spoon

c. Jelly Belly

d. Major
3:  Alfred's first run in the park is interrupted, and ruined, by

a. two policemen

b. an encounter with a rival gang

c. a surprise sighting of Alfred's former girlfriend

d. a vicious, unleashed dog
4:  Alfred hits the heavy bag to learn power and the peanut bag to improve his

a. aim

b. timing

c. concentration

d. endurance
5:  Bill Witherspoon is a positive role model whose profession now is

a. prize fighter

b. schoolteacher

c. gym manager

d. dentist
6:  As a fighter, Lou Epstein earned the nickname

a. KO Stein

b. Lightning Lou Epp

c. Drop 'Em Epp

d. Look Both Ways Lou
7:  Alfred works a regular job at which of the following establishments?

a. The recreation center

b. The local newspaper

c. Epstein's grocery

d. Jelly Belly's moviehouse
8:  Near the end of the novel, Alfred knows that James will be hiding in the

a. cave in Central Park

b. weight room at Donatelli's gym

c. clubroom where the gang hangs out

d. union hall where Alfred had his first amateur fight
9:  Which of the following locations symbolizes Alfred's lowest moment?

a. Donatelli's gym

b. Parkway Gardens in Brooklyn

c. Coney Island

d. Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Wilson's house
10:  The biggest difference between Alfred and James is

a. James is a high school graduate

b. Alfred believes that hope will triumph over despair

c. Alfred has never lost a fight

d. James is the antagonist of the story; Alfred is the protagonist
11:  Who said the following: "Everybody wants to be a champion. That's not enough. You have to start by wanting to be a contender, the man coming up, the man who knows there's a good chance he'll never get to the top, the man who's willing to sweat and bleed to get up as high as his legs and his brains and his heart will take him."

a. Major

b. Uncle Wilson

c. Mr. Donatelli

d. Reverend Price
12:  Who said the following: "Dare him to stop you. Dare anybody if you and me partners again. Even if they send you away, won't be forever. I'll be around. Gonna get you clean, man, and gonna keep you clean. Because I know I can. And you're my partner."

a. Hollis

b. Alfred

c. Bud Martin

d. Junius Becker
13:  Who said the following: "Me, I was never past the county line until the war came. Now your cousin Jeff's been all over the country. Talkin' about joining the Peace Corps after college, going to Africa. Got a letter from him the other day, says he's going to be ready when the opportunities come."

a. Bill Witherspoon

b. Jake Epstein

c. Uncle Wilson

d. Aunt Pearl



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