In Robert Lipsyte's, 'The Contender' Alfred, the main character does things that he wouldn't be able to do if he wasn't determined to do what he is doing. He's determined to be successful in his life so he does whatever he can now to be better off later. He runs every morning to become better at boxing because someday he thinks he can become a very good boxer and make money from boxing. He wants to do something in his life that can help him later lead a happier life. He's told that an education is important from Wilson so he decides to go to night school and graduate from high school to hopefully get a better job. Alfred shows that he wants to do whatever he wants to do by doing whatever he can. If Alfred wasn't determined it would have completely change the...