Summary As usual, Alfred’s eyes snap open at 5:30 sharp on the morning of his first fight. However, he will not take his usual run this day. Aunt Pearl wonders if he is sick. Alfred is evasive, because he doesn’t want her to worry about the fight and is concerned […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 14-15Summary and Analysis Chapter 13
Summary Alfred is back in training, with renewed intensity. He makes remarkable progress even though the most praise that he receives from Mr. Donatelli is when the mentor says, “Not bad.” Alfred knows that, coming from Donatelli, this is very high praise. Alfred spars with Angel, Denny, and Jose and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 13Summary and Analysis Chapter 12
Summary Alfred parties all Friday night and well into Saturday. It is now Saturday night. He has somehow made his way back to Aunt Pearl’s apartment, where he has passed out on the linoleum kitchen floor in a pool of his own sweat. The aggravating sound of the ringing telephone […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 12Summary and Analysis Chapter 11
Summary When Alfred arrives at the clubroom, the party is in full swing. James, however, is not there. Major assures Alfred, whom he calls “champ,” that James will show up. Sonny also refers to Alfred as “champ.” It is not likely that either could grasp Mr. Donatelli’s concept of the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 11Summary and Analysis Chapter 10
Summary Over the next few weeks, Alfred experiences the hard work and tedium of training to become a fighter. The first week is mostly pain. Mr. Donatelli has him shadowboxing for three minutes, resting for one minute, and shadowboxing for three minutes again, to the point that Alfred awakens in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Chapter 9
Summary Although it is only his second day of training, Alfred feels loose and strong on his run the next morning. His life appears to be improving rapidly. Even a policeman yells encouragement. Alfred runs for more than an hour and does calisthenics on his way back to the apartment. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 9Summary and Analysis Chapter 8
Summary Major and his henchmen have taken Alfred to the clubroom where they attempt to intimidate him. They want him to help in another burglary of the Epstein brothers’ grocery. Alfred is to do what he earlier considered: disconnect the alarm. Although he literally quakes with fear, Alfred refuses to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Chapter 7
Summary When Alfred accompanies Henry to that night’s fights at the Garden, he enters yet another new world with its attendant revelations on boxing and life. Outside the building is a vast array of fight fans ranging from seedy men with smashed-in faces to high-rolling Harlem gamblers in dinner jackets. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 7Summary and Analysis Chapter 6
Summary Alfred retrieves the euphoria of his morning run as he bounces up the “friendly” stairs leading to Donatelli’s Gym. He tries to stifle his grin before entering, because he wants to look businesslike and tough when he greets the manager for his first day of training. But when he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Chapter 5
Summary Alfred is running in the park at first light Monday morning. His stride is smooth and easy. Birds sing, the breeze is cool, and he feels a rare joy. Alfred Brooks is smiling. Suddenly his reverie is smashed by two policemen, one of whom shouts, “Hold it right there.” […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 5