Thursday, February 7, 2008

Chapter 5 - The Contender - by Robert Lipsyte

Please answer the questions below in at least three sentences each. Be sure to use complete sentences, that includes capitalization and punctuations.

What does Alfred mean when he says that he wants to be someone special?

How do Jake and Ben Epstein treat Alfred after the attempted robbery?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What he means when he says "I want to be somebody special" is that when all the training is over he wants to be somebody that is trustfull again. that it won't matter if he's black that he can win and accomplish and finish anything in this case boxing, and never gives up like he did for school. Another thing is that mabey he will think that his Uncle Wilson might appreciate him more and forget about Jeff and all his success, and be proud of Alfred. But Aunt Pearl already thinks he is somebody, but thats not the same somebody Alfred wants to be.

Jake and Ben are mean to Alfred, they always are checking him and keeping an eye on them. Jake keeps shooting glances at Alfred out of the corner of his eye. Ben is quiet which who is always asking Alfred how his weakend was. When he saw Jake putting the money in the envelope in his pocket to bring to the bank, Alfred then understood what "No point tempting fate" was. It said that they don't even trust him now to bring the money to the bank.

Unknown said...

What he means when he said i want to be somebody special he went that he doesnt want to be the kid that cant be trust. He wants to be respected. He wants to be somebody. He wants to be appriciated.

Jake an Ben are jurks. I think that because he can never do something right with them. Jake and ben can not trust Alfred at all anymore.

Unknown said...

when alfred says he wants to become someone special he means that like that somone noticed when you go somwhere and people are talking about you. ythat like he wants to become a contender like in everything.


jake and ben were keeping an eye on alfred because the person that is in jail is one of alfreds good friends.although nothing was taken he was still put in jail. they dont want alfred to become one of them so there keeping an eye on him to make sure.

Unknown said...

I think Alfred means that he wants to be someone special because he is training to become a special boxer in Donatelli's gym. I think that Uncle Wilson will appreciate that he might become a famous boxer in the town. I think that Alfred will accomplish his goal in becoming a great boxer.

Jake and Ben Epstein are being not
nice to Alfred because they are checking on him. They are also keeping an eye on him. He cannot trust the Epsteins because they are so mean to him in the chapter

Unknown said...

When he talks about him being somebody special, he means that he just not want to be Alfred. He also wants to be a hero, famous athelete, or somebody who is beloved by all.For instance he wants to be a boxer, so then he can be special. By being a boxing champion.

Jake and Ben have a eye on him. They don't really talk to him, all they do is ask him questions about the robbery. They don't trust them, or let him do there chores. Depositing money for them.

Tyler said...

When Alfreds says" I want to be somebody special", he means he wants to be relied on again. He doesn't want to be an untrustworth person. He wants to be wanted, needed. While Jake and Ben Epstein are being joiks to him to decrease his confidence to prove his innosence.

Unknown said...

He wants to be someone special that people will know who he is. He wants his aunt to have faith in him. Also wants to cheer him on and stuff.

Jake a Ben are never nice to Alfred. There always keeping an eye out for Alfred. He wants to be the kid that wont get picked on, and Ben and Jake wont be mean to him anymore.

Unknown said...

What he means when he says "I want to be somebody special." He wants to be good at something that means something in life. Something that would get him somewhere besides jail or dead on the streets.

Jake and Ben do not trust Alfred any more they always have an eye on him. They are not nice to Alfred anymore they don't let him do anything because they don't trust Alfred. Jake and ben don't let Alfred carry there money because they don't trust Alfred. with it

Anonymous said...

When he says "i want to be somebody special" it means he wants to be somebody who actualy stands out.

Jake and Ben who are his friends ma=ake it so he cant do any thing right.

Unknown said...

I think it means when alfred says "iwant to be somebody" he means he thinks he is a failure and he wants to make more of his life. hes ganna try to work and become a contender.he might soon be a champion.

jake and ben keep looking at alfred because they may think he help them rob the store. they dont want him to do it again. they are scared he will do it againe.