Review of The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Young Adults Learn to Disturb the Universe
Plot
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is the tale of Jerry Renault, a freshman at an all-boys Catholic school, who decided to buck the system and "disturb the universe." Renault receives a challenge from an underground organization, The Vigils, to deny the school's headmaster, Brother Leon, and refuse to sell chocolates during the school's annual chocolate sale. Jerry takes this one step further and makes a move that upsets the balance of power and causes many in the school to question their motivations.
The Chocolate War was published in 1974 and was inspired by Cormier's son, Peter, who took a similar action, refusing to sell chocolates, as a matter of principle.
Characters
There are a number of characters in the novel who personify evil--Brother Leon, Archie Costello (the "Assigner" for The Vigils), and Emile Janza (the school bully)--all of whom attempt to manipulate each other to achieve their own ends, and all of whom use Jerry to make a statement about their own significance in the world. Although this book does not have a happy ending, none of the forces of evil are punished, this book is powerful to teach young people about the effect that one person of character can have on his or her environment. The themes of bullying and heroism are still as poignant today as they were when this was written in the period between 1969-1971.
Theme
This story teaches young adults that it is okay, and sometimes necessary, to question authority; high school is a significant time during the transition from childhood to adulthood and calls for growth in the areas of emotional maturity and personal responsibility. Throughout the novel, Jerry and other secondary redeeming characters, such as Jerry's friend "Goober" and Carter, the President of The Vigils, question the wisdom of their actions and wrestle with the cost of principles. Some characters realize that the price of integrity is worth the expense of physical pain and social censure.
Robert Cormier won the American Library Association's (ALA) Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in young adult literature in 1991. The ALA writes that his books, "Provide a window through which young adults can view the world." The Chocolate War is a wonderful example of the impact that young adults can have on the world around them.
Please note that this book includes violence, foul language, and sexual references. Teachers or librarians wanting to include this classic work of young adult fiction in their curriculum are encouraged to seek support of the parents and/or local School Board.
The Chocolate War
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