The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert. 1974. The chocolate war. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0440944597

Plot Summary

Trinity High, a parochial boy’s prep school, is nominally led by Brother Leon but the real power in the school resides in The Vigils, a gang that gives “assignments” to students that are designed to humiliate and torment. The real power of The Vigils resides in Archie Costello, the Assigner who masterminds the torturous assignments. This school year, when the stakes in the annual chocolate sale have been doubled, freshman Jerry Renault’s assignment is to refuse to sell any chocolates for the first 10 days, incurring the wrath of Brother Leon. At the end of the assignment Jerry decides to continue refusing to sell chocolates, a decision that has catastrophic consequences as Archie plots to restore the order of power at Trinity High.

Critical Analysis

 

The Chocolate War offers insight to the fears and motives of both victims and victimizers. Cormier uses an omniscient point of view that focuses on the thoughts and reactions of individual characters to provide a multi-faceted look at power, corruption, and the fears that everyone tries to hide. Archie, the mastermind of the vicious assignments, is motivated by his fear of losing power, his fear of the “black box” that could turn the tables and make him a victim of his own schemes, and fear of Brother Leon. Jerry’s motivations stem from the fear of turning out to be a “square boy”, like his father. Cormier also explores the awakening of several students as they realize that the adults in the school are also motivated by fears, and are therefore vulnerable.

As stated in Kirkus Reviews, “No underworld gang closing in on a victim is more menacing than this teenage army led by a Leon-Archie alliance against one boy whose locker poster reads ‘Do I Dare Disturb the Universe.’". Readers will be waiting with held breath for the climax where Archie and Leon will surely be undone by the bravery and unwavering determination of Jerry to hold his ground, only that is not what happens. The violent end serves to bring home the truths and insights of the book by remaining unwaveringly true to the harsh realities of power, fear, and corruption. “Mature young readers will respect the uncompromising ending that dares disturb the upbeat universe of juvenile books.” (Kirkus)

Review Citation

1974. "THE CHOCOLATE WAR." Kirkus Reviews April 1, 1974.