Chapter 14 Discussion Questions Name: ______1. Describe the incident Alfred once witnessed at James’ home. What does this tell you about James’ family life? ______2. What happened at the clubroom a few weeks ago? Why is this significant for Alfred? ______3. What does Spoon encourage Alfred to do? What does this tell you about Spoon? ______4. Why is it significant that Henry is “working the corner” tonight? ______5. How do you think Alfred feels when he receives the robe? Why? ______6. In Donatelli’s opinion, why is Alfred’s win against Rivera “not enough”? ______

Directions: Read the following poem “The Seventh Round”. Compare and contrast the speaker’s experience in the poem, to Alfred’s fight in chapter 14. Questions: “The Seventh Round” by James Merrill 1. What is happening to the speaker?

Give it to him! ______To you, they mean, ______As always (mezzanine Gone dazzling dim, ______

A crown at stake) 2. What do you predict will happen to the speaker? Why? Before you stands The giver with clenched hands. ______Drop your own. Take. ______

3. Do you think the speaker and Alfred experienced the same emotions? Why? Describe what you think each fighter was Mezzanine= area around the ring. thinking/feeling during his match? ______