The opening paragraph of Chapter 7 is an excellent example of Lipsyte's use of dynamic imagery to set the tone and describe a scene. In addition to the variety of people in the crowd of hundreds gathered around the entrance to the Garden, Alfred is intrigued by the mixed smells of perfume, mustard, and beer.
Inside the Garden, Alfred at first feels threatened because everyone seems to be angry. Alfred thinks they are angry with him. As he often does, Lipsyte makes effective use of repetition as the usher scowls, the program seller scowls, the ticket taker scowls, and even the snack stand attendant scowls. Soon, however, Alfred notices that they scowl at everyone.
Donatelli asks the referee to stop the fight not because Willie's cut is so bad but because Willie has stopped fighting. Donatelli realizes that Willie does not have the heart to be a top fighter and will only be injured and embarrassed if the fight goes on, foreshadowing later events in Alfred's coming of age.
In contrast to Willie is Bill Witherspoon, affectionately know as "Spoon." Spoon had been a very good fighter, once rated the "Number Seven light-heavyweight contender." Good as Spoon was, he was getting beaten too hard. Although he was still winning, Mr. Donatelli one day said to him, "Billy, I think it's time." Donatelli urged Spoon to return to college, and Spoon is now "Mr. Witherspoon," a successful teacher. Spoon's experience, too, foreshadows later events in Alfred's journey.
The night has been rewarding for Alfred, and he is in fine spirits as he walks home from Henry's house. Lipsyte, though, is far from ready to let Alfred, or the reader, off the hook.
As Alfred approaches his own front stoop, dreaming of being a champion, Alfred spots three figures standing in wait. They are his adversaries: Hollis, Sonny, and Major.
