Beyond the Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
"Beyond the Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier is a sequel to his earlier work, "The Chocolate War," continuing the exploration of power dynamics and the impact of bullying among high school students. Set at Trinity High, the narrative follows characters like Jerry Renault, who returns from a year-long recuperation, and his friend Goober, as they confront their past traumas and current threats. The book is structured into four parts, each highlighting individual struggles and culminating in a dramatic climax that reveals the ongoing corruption within the school environment.
The story features Archie Costello, a manipulative leader of a secret group called The Vigils, who continues to wield power over his peers through intimidation and humiliation. Central to the plot are themes of revenge and the psychological consequences of abuse, illustrated through characters like David Caroni, whose obsession with vengeance leads to tragic outcomes. Cormier's work is noted for its social and psychological realism, earning him recognition in adolescent literature. This novel invites readers to reflect on the complexities of adolescence, the challenges of standing up against wrongdoing, and the pervasive nature of corruption in social hierarchies.
Beyond the Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
First published: 1985
Subjects: Coming-of-age, sexual issues, and suicide
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Psychological realism and social realism
Time of work: The early 1970’s
Recommended Ages: 13-18
Locale: A Catholic boys’ school in a New England mill town
Principal Characters:
Archie Costello , the cruel leader of The Vigils, whose members orchestrate happenings at TrinityObie , the former passive ally of Archie, who undergoes a changeJerry Renault , the protagonist ofThe Chocolate War , who returns to Monument to redeem himselfRoland “Goober” Goubert , Jerry’s best friend, who is guilt-ridden over the events ofThe Chocolate War Ray Bannister , a newcomer to Trinity who is an amateur magicianBunting , the sophomore being groomed as next year’s assigner of tasks by The VigilsEmile Janza , the sadistic henchman of The Vigils, who tries to victimize Jerry againLaurie Gundarson , the love of Obie’s lifeBrother Leon , a sinister priest and the headmaster at TrinityDavid Caroni , a sensitive straight-A student who is given an F by Brother Leon
Form and Content
Beyond the Chocolate War continues the somber tale of the abuses of power begun in The Chocolate War (1974). Several characters introduced in the first novel struggle against the cruel Archie and the unethical Brother Leon. Using an omniscient point of view, Robert Cormier divides his novel into four parts, with the first two focusing on specific individuals and their particular problems. The third section brings the characters and their subplots together in a fast-moving climax. The fourth section indicates that corruption will continue at Trinity.
Each of the characters in Cormier’s sequel has been affected by the events in The Chocolate War. Jerry Renault has spent a year in Canada recuperating from the physical and emotional havoc wreaked by Archie Costello and Brother Leon. Jerry’s return to Monument forces his friend Goober to admit his guilt for not trying to stop the brutal fight that ends the first novel. Goober warns Jerry that Emile Janza is stalking him, and the two follow Janza for a confrontation in an alley.
In the meantime, Archie, the manipulative leader of the secret group called The Vigils, continues making humiliating “assignments” to other students during his senior year. For example, Archie’s plan for only one student to be in school during the day of the bishop’s visit is canceled when a student named Carter informs Brother Leon by letter. Archie tricks Carter into revealing that he is the “traitor” and intimidates him by replacing the boxing trophies in the trophy case with a toilet-shaped ashtray.
Archie also feels the growing separation between himself and Obie, who has fallen in love with Laurie Gundarson. Bunting, who is being groomed to take Archie’s place, finds out about Obie and Laurie and stages an assault on them where they often park to make out. After this scene, Laurie feels violated and breaks up with Obie. When Obie learns who has staged this terrible event, he plots revenge, enlisting the aid of the newly arrived Ray Bannister, an amateur magician. Obie switches marbles in The Vigils’ black box so that Archie himself has to play the Fool on Fair Day. Although students are afraid to kick Archie or dunk him, he must put his head in Bannister’s guillotine.
David Caroni, too, has been devastated by the intrigues of the previous year, when Brother Leon gave him an F. Caroni’s growing obsession with revenge leads to his attempt to kill Brother Leon. When this plot fails, the desperate Caroni turns the violence upon himself.
Critical Context
Beyond the Chocolate War, as well as Robert Cormier’s other novels, are outstanding examples of social and psychological realism for young adults. Cormier received the ALAN Award given annually by the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English to honor those individuals who have made important contributions to adolescent literature. He also received the Margaret A. Edwards award, presented each year by the Young Adult Services Division of the American Library Association. This award is given to authors who write about authentic adolescent experiences and emotions.
Cormier’s novel Fade (1988) continues the themes of secrets, illusions, and power depicted in Beyond the Chocolate War. The protagonist Paul Moreaux finds that his genetic ability to become invisible allows him to learn the secrets of others. He realizes that actions and individuals are interconnected and that it is necessary to act responsibly toward other people. In addition to novels, Cormier has written short stories, brought together in the collection Eight Plus One (1980). He prefaces each story with details about the sources of the characters and plot, as well as any problems he had in writing the story. Some of the stories take place in the 1930’s, when Cormier was growing up, while others are set in the 1970’s. Despite the difference in setting, all the selections deal with the problems of growing up.
Bibliography
Campbell, Patricia J. Presenting Robert Cormier. Boston: Twayne, 1985.
Coats, Karen. “Abjection and Adolescent Fiction.” JPCS: Journal for the Psychoanalysis of Culture & Society 5 (Fall, 2000): 290-300.
Gallo, Donald R. “Reality and Responsibility: The Continuing Controversy over Robert Cormier’s Books for Young Adults.” In The VOYA Reader. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1990.
Hyde, Margaret O. Robert Cormier. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2005.
Ishandert, Sylvia Patterson. “Readers, Realism, and Robert Cormier.” Children’s Literature 15 (1987): 7-18.
Karolides, Nicholas J., ed. Censored Books, II: Critical Viewpoints, 1985-2000. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow, 2002.
Keeley, Jennifer. Understanding “I Am the Cheese.” San Diego: Lucent, 2001.
Myers, Mitzi. “’No Safe Place to Run To’: An Interview with Robert Cormier.” The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children’s Literature 24 (September, 2000): 445-464.
Tarr, C. Anita. “The Absence of Moral Agency in Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War.” Children’s Literature 30 (2002): 96-124.
Veglahn, Nancy. “The Bland Face of Evil in the Novels of Robert Cormier.” The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children’s Literature 2 (June 12, 1988): 12-18.