A Literary Analysis of Robert Cormiers The Chocolate War Essay

A Literary Analysis of Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War" The Chocolate War is a story which takes place in New England in the 1970's. Most of the events happen in a Catholic school. Since this school was exclusively for boys, they were constantly trying to prove their power over each other. The story is told in third person omniscient. The story's mood is suspenseful. With each page turn one wonders if Jerry will take or refuse his chocolates. The protagonist of this story is Jerry Renault and the antagonist in Archie Costello. Jerry is a very quiet fifteen year old boy. He is also the quarterback for the Trinity High junior varsity football team. He is a very troubled individual due to his mother's death. He appears to be angry toward the whole world. Jerry is very ordinary and wants more change in his life instead of the same old thing. Archie Costello is 17 year old boy who is a member of the high school's very prestigious club called The Vigils. Archie is the "assignment giver". He gives assignments to the younger class men to do very mischievous things; for example, loosening all screws on desk chairs and chalkboards so that they will fall apart when students and teachers touch them. Archie is very clever and conniving. Many other characters contribute to the excitement of this story. Obie, another member of The Vigils, is Archie's sidekick. He helps Archie carry out all of his assignments. Obie has hostile feelings towards Archie because Archie gets all the glory while Obie does all the hard work. Obie is very soft spoken; he will not speak out against Archie about his anger. Brother Leon is the assistant headmaster of Trinity High School. He is very evil and... ... his groin but tries to defend himself. This is against the rules. After this a "free for all" begins. The lights are turned off by Brother Jacques, who is trying to stop all the madness. The story ends as Jerry is lying almost unconscious in his friend Goober's arms. Archie is taking pleasure in the whole scene, and Brother Leon is standing alone, watching this whole production as the ambulance draws near. The theme of The Chocolate War would have to be, being a nonconformist can make you an outcast by most people, and it can sometimes even bring harm to you. But if you are being a nonconformist with good reason, then you have to be willing to take the abuse. In Jerry's case it almost got him killed, and he still could not understand everyone's cruelty; but he knew that what he was doing was right in his heart.