The Chocolate War By Robert Cormier: Analysis
Danielle Garrison
Professor Harding
English 117W
1 December 2014
Disturbing the Universe Do I dare disturb the universe was a question that Jerry Renault consistently asked himself throughout the book called The Chocolate War written by Robert Cormier. With that powerful statement, it was clear in stone what Robert Cormier was trying to express in the book. Cormier’s powerful statement throughout the book gave some insight into the consequences of standing up for what you truly believe in. Throughout the experiences that went on throughout the book with Jerry Renault specifically, Cormier explicitly showed the consequences that Jerry Renault suffered from Archie Costello along with other individuals, for not selling the chocolates like everyone …show more content…
He was a freshman at Trinity, which is a Catholic school. Brother Leon is the school headmaster and runs a kind of chocolate sale every year, where all students participate. It is not a requirement that they participate, but if don’t…then you are looked at as an outcast. The Vigils are a group at Trinity led by Archie Costello. As stated in Campbell’s chapters, “To show Leon where the power lies, Archie secretly assigns Jerry to refuse to sell the chocolates for ten days. Brother Leon is enraged but impotent as every day at the roll call of sales figures Jerry continues to answer “No” (Campbell 54). After the assignment timing is up, Jerry continues to refuse to sell the chocolates for his own reasons. As a result, the Vigils psychologically and physically destroy Jerry Renault. Due to Jerry’s refusal to conform, he gets beaten by the Vigils, the school …show more content…
He does an excellent job of portraying the characters to show his purpose for writing The Chocolate War. He uses realistic characters that are very easy to relate with, specifically easy for teen readers. Teen readers can identify to this book because a lot of the situations that occur throughout the book are situations that occur at many high schools nowadays. Teens have a variety of situations to deal with and this gives them a realistic approach to what really can go on. Teens will endure having authority abuse their power, just as Brother Leon and Archie abused their power that they were given in the book. Teen readers need to know that if they don’t believe in doing something because they know that it is wrong, they need to stand their ground and know that there may or may not be consequences to standing their ground. A lot of teens feel as if they shouldn’t question any kind of authority, due to the power that they have. However, in situations such as the situation that Jerry Renault was in, I believe that they should know that they can stand their ground on a powerful decision and should not let anyone else influence and/or change that decision. As stated in Campbell’s chapters, “Many young adults, especially younger readers, will want to simply enjoy it at this level” (Campbell 56) because it is tragic, yet tells teens that it is okay to stand your ground on a decision
Professor Harding
English 117W
1 December 2014
Disturbing the Universe Do I dare disturb the universe was a question that Jerry Renault consistently asked himself throughout the book called The Chocolate War written by Robert Cormier. With that powerful statement, it was clear in stone what Robert Cormier was trying to express in the book. Cormier’s powerful statement throughout the book gave some insight into the consequences of standing up for what you truly believe in. Throughout the experiences that went on throughout the book with Jerry Renault specifically, Cormier explicitly showed the consequences that Jerry Renault suffered from Archie Costello along with other individuals, for not selling the chocolates like everyone …show more content…
He was a freshman at Trinity, which is a Catholic school. Brother Leon is the school headmaster and runs a kind of chocolate sale every year, where all students participate. It is not a requirement that they participate, but if don’t…then you are looked at as an outcast. The Vigils are a group at Trinity led by Archie Costello. As stated in Campbell’s chapters, “To show Leon where the power lies, Archie secretly assigns Jerry to refuse to sell the chocolates for ten days. Brother Leon is enraged but impotent as every day at the roll call of sales figures Jerry continues to answer “No” (Campbell 54). After the assignment timing is up, Jerry continues to refuse to sell the chocolates for his own reasons. As a result, the Vigils psychologically and physically destroy Jerry Renault. Due to Jerry’s refusal to conform, he gets beaten by the Vigils, the school …show more content…
He does an excellent job of portraying the characters to show his purpose for writing The Chocolate War. He uses realistic characters that are very easy to relate with, specifically easy for teen readers. Teen readers can identify to this book because a lot of the situations that occur throughout the book are situations that occur at many high schools nowadays. Teens have a variety of situations to deal with and this gives them a realistic approach to what really can go on. Teens will endure having authority abuse their power, just as Brother Leon and Archie abused their power that they were given in the book. Teen readers need to know that if they don’t believe in doing something because they know that it is wrong, they need to stand their ground and know that there may or may not be consequences to standing their ground. A lot of teens feel as if they shouldn’t question any kind of authority, due to the power that they have. However, in situations such as the situation that Jerry Renault was in, I believe that they should know that they can stand their ground on a powerful decision and should not let anyone else influence and/or change that decision. As stated in Campbell’s chapters, “Many young adults, especially younger readers, will want to simply enjoy it at this level” (Campbell 56) because it is tragic, yet tells teens that it is okay to stand your ground on a decision