English The Contender Essay
Matt Souvigney
Ms. Boggio
English 9-1
March 29 2012
The Contender Character Influences The character Alfred in the contender is influenced by many other characters in the book.
Alfred is influenced a lot by the characters Henry, Major, and Mr. Donatelli.
Alfred’s friend Henry influences him a lot in the book. Henry is a crippled boy about
Alfred’s age, who remains a loyal friend to Alfred throughout the book. One way Henry influences Alfred is that Henry is the reason Alfred was motivated to go to the gym.
Without Henry mentioning how Mr. Donatelli gave him a small job there, Alfred may not have even went to the gym in the first place. This would have drastically affected the story and Alfred’s life. Henry helps Alfred take that first step to start going to the gym by saying, “You ought to come up, Alfred. Willie Streeter’s training now. He’s going to fight in Madison Square Garden next week” ( ). Another way Henry influences Alfred is by always being there in times of need. An example of this is when he was there to help
Alfred after he got knocked out by Major. Henry helps Alfred train to become a contender. This has an influence on Alfred because Alfred may not have been as good as he became if it wasn’t for Henry helping him out in the gym. The last thing that Henry does that I think influences Alfred’s character is buy Alfred’s robe with his own money. I think this is really what eventually connected these too characters. Alfred realizes that
Henry really enjoyed training him and being his corner man a lot.
Another character that influences Alfred a lot is Mr. Donatelli. Mr. Donatelli is the owner of the gym that Alfred goes to and trains at. One thing Mr. Donatelli does that influences
Alfred is he shows Alfred what it really takes to accomplish any goal. He explains to
Alfred that the climb is what makes the man, not the prize at the top. I believe this is a life lesson Alfred will have with him for the rest of his life. Mr.
Ms. Boggio
English 9-1
March 29 2012
The Contender Character Influences The character Alfred in the contender is influenced by many other characters in the book.
Alfred is influenced a lot by the characters Henry, Major, and Mr. Donatelli.
Alfred’s friend Henry influences him a lot in the book. Henry is a crippled boy about
Alfred’s age, who remains a loyal friend to Alfred throughout the book. One way Henry influences Alfred is that Henry is the reason Alfred was motivated to go to the gym.
Without Henry mentioning how Mr. Donatelli gave him a small job there, Alfred may not have even went to the gym in the first place. This would have drastically affected the story and Alfred’s life. Henry helps Alfred take that first step to start going to the gym by saying, “You ought to come up, Alfred. Willie Streeter’s training now. He’s going to fight in Madison Square Garden next week” ( ). Another way Henry influences Alfred is by always being there in times of need. An example of this is when he was there to help
Alfred after he got knocked out by Major. Henry helps Alfred train to become a contender. This has an influence on Alfred because Alfred may not have been as good as he became if it wasn’t for Henry helping him out in the gym. The last thing that Henry does that I think influences Alfred’s character is buy Alfred’s robe with his own money. I think this is really what eventually connected these too characters. Alfred realizes that
Henry really enjoyed training him and being his corner man a lot.
Another character that influences Alfred a lot is Mr. Donatelli. Mr. Donatelli is the owner of the gym that Alfred goes to and trains at. One thing Mr. Donatelli does that influences
Alfred is he shows Alfred what it really takes to accomplish any goal. He explains to
Alfred that the climb is what makes the man, not the prize at the top. I believe this is a life lesson Alfred will have with him for the rest of his life. Mr.