Commentary on The Chocolate War Essay

The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a novel about a young teenage boy who refuses to sell chocolates for a school fundraiser. It is this idea that sets the stage for this story. The setting of the book is Trinity High School, an all-boys Catholic high school in New England during modern times.

Jerry Renault is one of the main characters in this story. The author describes him as a skinny freshman who wants to join the football team. He is 59 tall and weighs 145 pounds. He is an athletic boy and polite. When the football coach is yelling in his face, spitting on him at the same time, Jerry shows his polite respect by not saying anything. He is described as a normal teenager though his actions. This is shown when Jerry is in a deli and wants to buy a Playboy magazine.

Jerry is struggling to find his place in the world. His mother recently died and Jerry thinks his father lives a boring life. The author leads the reader to believe that Jerry wants more for himself. He also shows an inner strength in his thoughts. He is determined to continue playing football even though the coach yells at him and he is constantly hurt. He shows his inner strength when he refuses to sell the chocolates as a way to stand up for what he believes in. He is unsure why he wont sell the chocolates and defy authority, but he does it anyway. Although he was beat up, his homework was taken, and he received prank phone calls, he still refused to give in and sell the chocolates. He feels like this is the only thing he has control over. His inner thoughts and strength can be seen through the poster in his locker that says, Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?

Jerry does not speak much, he is a quiet boy. His actions in the story are more important. He stood up for himself against the authority of Archie, the leader of the school gang, and Brother Leon. Even at the end when he wanted to tell his only friend Goober to do whatever is expected of him, he didnt even have the words for that.

Archie is another main character. He is described as a blond evil senior who heads the Vigils, the school gang. He gives out assignments for students to complete. He manipulates people to do these assignments. His behavior is awful. He makes people do things they dont want to do out of fear. He made Goober unscrew the desks and chairs in a classroom so that when students came in and sat, everything fell apart. Goober was traumatized by this. Archie is something of an authority figure throughout the story. He gave Jerry the assignment to sell the chocolates which began the main problem in this story. He also used blackmail to get what he wanted. For example he blackmailed Emile with a photo he said he had in order for him to beat on Jerry.

Archies only thoughts in this story are evil and manipulative. He is always thinking of what he could do next to get what he wants. He leads the Vigils and controls everyone, even Brother Leon. He never gets into trouble for his actions. He likes to be in control over everything and is always thinking of his next move.

Jerry has a conflict within himself. He could go along with the chocolate sale or not. He decides to rebel against authority and be his own person. He also has an external conflict with Archie and Brother Leon. He does not follow through on Archies assignment, and after ten days does not sell the chocolate for Brother Leon either. At the end of the story Jerry is again conflicted with disturbing the universe. He felt that he disturbed the universe and that it wasnt worth it.

Archie has a conflict with Jerry when Jerry refuses to sell the chocolate undermining his authority as Vigil leader. Archies control is being questioned and he is determined not to fail. He manipulates everyone around him so they could help punish Jerry to make him do his assignment, but Jerry never does.

The theme of this story is standing up to authority or disturbing the universe. This is exactly what Jerry did in this story. In the book the universe is the school and the authority figures in it. This is Jerrys universe. He stands up to authority by not doing what he was told to do. The Vigils were so used to everyone doing what they said and having complete control over everyone. Jerry is the only student to stand up to them and never conform.

I liked the book The Chocolate War for many reasons. I liked that the book took place in modern times because I can relate to it. I enjoyed that there were a lot of parts that included football. I can connect to the parts about football because I used to play football. I know how it feels to be tackled and beat down during practice but still want to play. I know the feeling of coachs spitting in your face while talking because it has happened to me. These parts kept me interested in Jerrys character.

I liked the character of Jerry. The author made him seem real and normal. He had a lot of courage to stand up for what he believed in. I felt sorry for him when he was getting beat up, but he never gave in to the bullies. I admire him for that.

I liked how the book led up to the very end boxing match. It was like you knew something big was going to happen and it was suspenseful. I felt so bad for Jerry at the end. He was beaten so badly that he even questioned if it was even worth it. He may not have realized it right then, but I think it was all worth it for him. He stood up for what he believed in and didnt give in to peer pressure from the bullies of the school. Even though he only had to sell chocolates, he didnt think anyone should make him sell it. I liked that he stood up for himself.