An Analytical Essay on The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier This essay will analyze the emotions of courage, hatred, and senselessness from the novel The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. By evaluating these emotions displayed by the main character, Jerry Renault, we can learn if they benefited him during his high school years. Courage was reflected in The Chocolate War when Jerry opted not to participate in Trinity School’s annual chocolate fundraiser. Courage would prove to be one of his fundamental emotions displayed in this novel. Jerry stood up to the Trinity School bullies by telling them he would not sell a single box of chocolates no matter what they said or did to him.
An example of peer pressure at Trinity is shown in the quote “I’s all out of cigarettes steal, borrow, get me a packet of luckies”, the quote expresses both psychological threat/abuse. The corruption in power of those in positions of authority and trust, in this novel serves as an allegorical statement about the abuse of power in the world. Another idea that Cormier explores to teach us about human nature is resistance is difficult while conformity is easy. Jerry Renault experiences many types of abuse and pressure by the
It is in this environment that Jerry first begins to test the waters of his masculine discovery by experimenting with conformity. During his acceptance of the Vigils’ assignment and then continued refusal to sell chocolates for the fundraiser, Jerry comes to realize that falling in line with the Vigils’s orders represents conformity rather than rebellion. Junko highlights Jerry’s encounter with the hippie, his pondering of the poster in his locker, and the exploitive episode involving
Cormier wrote the Chocolate War during the 1970's during the hippie era. The story takes place at a higher intelligence level than most of the outside world. Jerry Renault, the main character in the novel, has lived a rough life, especially in the last year or so when his mother passed away, and his father has resided from almost all communication with Jerry; rarely talking to him. The movie was directed by Keith Gordon in 1988. Although there are many events and things that have stayed the same, some simple and big things were changed by the infamous Hollywood.
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, depicts a story of a teenage boy named Jerry struggling to fit the characteristics of the social norm. As the story unfolds, you see Jerry battle his fear of isolation by conforming to his peers. As the battle continues, Jerry faces the moral dilemma of abandoning his values to fit in or defy their constraints and be isolated. Jerry soon starts to reach a level of a mature state until he gives in to something he truly doesn’t agree with doing. From Trinity High School to the Vigils bullying, Jerry reaches a new level of maturity and firm beliefs.
It draws upon unsettling teen issues throughout history. Wes Cravens a Nightmare on Elm Street made in 1984 is the epitome of teen fear in the 1980s and even today. As children begin to reach teenage years, social structures become aware to them in which they will define themselves. Since this is the case with the insecurities of culture, many films such as this one persistently draw on this kind of pressure. Craven puts serious effort into isolating his teen cast in this horror film.
The author of this context has used different techniques to suck the audience into believing about this newspaper article. He uses ways of scaring the readers by telling them the truth about what is happening in the very place they live at. He tells the readers that their very teenaged children may be a part of organised crime by buying drugs and getting into a lot of debt to very dangerous people. They may start at about 100$ for a ‘point of methamphetamine’ and then get addicted to the drugs and end up getting into very huge debts. He also states that you may get a knock at 2am at your door with a thug demanding money, and the only way to pay them without getting killed is to sell businesses to pay back the mounting debt that their children have gotten into.
The author points out that the girl was forced to stay outside from her father to sell matches, " …for she had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money: from her father she would certainly get blows…" (Anderson 2). When the boy woke to see his mother, he decided to leave even though he had the choice of staying. The author confirms that the boy decided to leave on his
Kate, the bus driver, finds out what it takes to be brave while the young Raymond discovers that he doesn't need to impress anyone anymore. Certainly the most crucial event in the story line is the hijacking of the bus, but it is not only Kate’s personal journey affected by this. Those of the children are also dramatically altered. One in particular is young Raymond who starts off being represented as an independent, intelligent young boy. There is not a lot said about his history at home but it is mentioned that he feels the need to impress others due to the fact that he is a ‘late baby’.
He is a shy boy who very rarely speaks. In fact, he does not say one word during the entire story. Charles lacks courage which is evident in the end of the story where he simply doesn’t dare tell his parents exactly what he thinks about the school and how he definitely doesn’t want to attend it after having heard the fright-inducing words from one of the students there: “Next term, we’ll mash you…” In the beginning of the story, he is sitting in a car with an unopened box of chocolate next to him. This could symbolize the boy’s lack of liveliness and his dissatisfaction with the whole situation. Charles’ introvert personality is likely to be the consequence of inattentiveness from his parents during his entire upbringing.