"The Chocolate War"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses "The Chocolate War," written in 1974 by Robert Cormier, which takes an apparently ordinary decision in the life of a high school freshman and turns this decision into a high-stakes battle for the boy's soul. The paper discusses the plot presented in the book and discusses some of the themes that are presented, particularly the attainment of happiness by the main character.

From the Paper:

"Later in the novel, when Jerry continues to ignore Brother Leon's command to sell chocolate, Jerry is told that he has 'guts' again. He experiences the profound realization that his nonconformist stance has empowered other boys, who hated the domination of the school authorities and the Vigils whose abuses the brothers tolerate because they enforce the administration's will and discipline. "I never thought of saying no. Just like you did," marvels an older boy. (125) "We have tradition on our side. The chocolate sale is an annual event. The boys have come to expect it," says the brother sanctimoniously at the beginning of the year. In reality, the chocolate sale, like all enforced traditions, has become an instrument of control of the brothers over the boys. If one boy flaunts school discipline and suggests that the other boys need not obey the brother's every whim, the system will begin to crack. Jerry's decision not to sell occurred on the spur of the moment, partly in ignorance of school traditions, but he realizes he has more power as an individual than he ever knew."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. New York: Laurel Leaf Books, 1974.

More papers on "The Chocolate War":

• Book Review # 33816 : "The Chocolate War and Invisible Power"
• Comparison Essay # 141929 : "Comparative Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 985 : "Sophie Coe's book, "The True History of Chocolate"

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