The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
"The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier is a compelling young adult novel that explores themes of peer pressure, conformity, and moral courage. The story follows Jerry Renault, a high school freshman grappling with the loss of his mother and the challenges of adolescence, as he becomes embroiled in a bitter conflict at Trinity High School. When Jerry refuses to participate in a school chocolate sale mandated by the manipulative Brother Leon and enforced by the underground group known as the Vigils, he becomes a target for bullying and ostracism from his peers.
The novel delves into the psychological struggles faced by Jerry as he stands his ground against both the school's administration and the social pressures from his classmates. It highlights the consequences of standing up for one's beliefs in a toxic environment, as Jerry’s defiance inspires other students to join him, resulting in widespread tension within the school community. The narrative also touches on themes of loyalty and betrayal, particularly through the dynamics between Jerry, his friend Goober, and the sinister leader of the Vigils, Archie.
As Jerry’s resistance escalates, so do the repercussions, culminating in a brutal showdown that questions the cost of individuality and the nature of justice. "The Chocolate War" serves as a poignant examination of the struggles adolescents face, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in the complexities of teenage life and ethics.
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
First published: 1974
Type of work: Young adult fiction
Type of plot: Psychological
Time of plot: Early 1970s
Locale: Northeastern United States
Principal Characters
Jerry Renault , a freshmanRoland “Goober” Goubert , his friendArchie Costello , assigner of the VigilsObie , secretary of the VigilsJohn Carter , president of the VigilsBrother Leon , assistant headmasterBrother Eugene , a teacherBrother Jacques , a teacherEmile Janza , a brute
The Story
Jerry Renault, a skinny freshman at Trinity High School who lost his mother to cancer a year ago, tries out for the football team. He is brutally sacked, but he gets up afterward, and the coach tells him to come back the next day. Obie and Archie watch from the stands. Archie, the plotter of practical jokes for an underground group, the Vigils, must pick ten names and an assignment for each name. Obie, Archie’s flunky, writes what Archie says: “Roland Goubert—Brother Eugene’s Room; Jerry Renault—Chocolates.”
Brother Leon, Trinity’s assistant headmaster, has ordered twenty thousand boxes of chocolates for the school’s annual fund-raiser, two times the normal order. He asks Archie for help with this endeavor, explaining that each student must sell fifty boxes. Archie enjoys seeing Brother Leon squirm but finally agrees that the Vigils will help.
The Vigils meet. Archie humiliates Goober, who is given the assignment to loosen every screw in Brother Eugene’s classroom. Goober fearfully accepts the assignment. Then, Carter pulls out a small black box that contains six marbles—five white and one black. Archie must pick blindly. If the marble is white, the assignment remains with Goober. If black, Archie must carry out the assignment. Archie gets lucky.
The morning after Goober carries out his assignment, pandemonium breaks loose in Brother Eugene’s room as the desks and chairs begin falling apart. Brother Eugene has a breakdown, and Goober feels guilty. After scrimmage that day, Jerry finds a letter taped to his locker door—a summons from the Vigils.
Brother Leon enjoys mentally torturing his students. In class, he reads their names from a list, asking each person if they will agree to sell fifty boxes of chocolates. Everyone says “Yes,” until Brother Leon reaches Jerry, who says “No.”
Brother Leon discovers why Jerry won’t sell the chocolates—it is a Vigils assignment. Jerry is to refuse to sell chocolates for ten days and then accept. After ten days, Brother Leon calls Jerry’s name again. Jerry still refuses, and Leon is shocked. Jerry wants the battle between himself and Brother Leon to be over, but he cannot abide Brother Leon’s cruelty. The words on a poster encourage Jerry: “Do I dare disturb the universe?”
Sales of the chocolates are down. Brother Leon blames Jerry. His refusal to sell candy has encouraged other boys to do the same. Goober, sensing trouble ahead, asks Jerry to cooperate with Brother Leon. Brother Leon orders Archie and the Vigils to sell more chocolates. Brother Leon threatens Archie, saying that if the sales go down, the Vigils go down.
The Vigils meet. Archie gives Jerry a new assignment—to sell the chocolates. Jerry refuses. Archie comes up with a campaign to make the candy sale more popular at school. His plan works. The Vigils sell chocolates for the other students. In class, Brother Leon continues to call Jerry’s name and Jerry consistently says “No.” The students turn against Jerry for his lack of school spirit. Goober becomes more worried about his friend. Jerry is beaten by Emile, the school bully, and five other boys. Jerry rides the bus home and goes to bed, keeping the attack hidden from his father.
Finally, only Jerry’s fifty boxes of chocolates remain unsold. Archie goads Jerry into a boxing match with Emile on the athletic field at night. Jerry doesn’t know the whole school will be watching. Archie sells raffle tickets for $1 each for a chance to win $100 plus chocolates. The night of the match, Jerry is upset, but his pride will not let him back down.
Before the fight, Obie and Carter carry the black box to an unsuspecting Archie. They tell him he has to draw two marbles, one for Jerry and one for Emile. Archie gets lucky and pulls a white marble. Then, he cheats on the second draw. The fight goes forward as planned.
The raffle tickets control the blows in the fight. Each student has written on his ticket who he wants to throw the punch. Most of the tickets are for Emile. Jerry takes a terrible beating. Brother Leon watches the fight from a distance. Suddenly, the lights go out in the stadium. Archie goes into the building and finds that Brother Jacques has turned them off. He rebukes Archie, but Brother Leon says “Boys will be boys.” When the lights come on, most of the students have left. Goober cradles Jerry, who warns his friend to conform rather than disturb the universe. Obie calls an ambulance.
After everyone is gone, Archie and Obie sit in the stands. Obie says Brother Leon is a bastard for watching the fight and doing nothing. Archie reveals that he tipped Brother Leon off about the fight. Obie tells Archie that someday he will get what is coming to him.
Bibliography
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