The Chocolate War

Cover from the 1986 mass-market paperback edition, published by Laurel Leaf Books.
Author	Robert Cormier
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Young adult literature
Publisher	Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date	1974
Media type	Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages	253 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0394828054
Followed by	Beyond The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War is a young adult novel written by American author Robert Cormier and first published in 1974. It was adapted into a film in 1988. Although it received mixed reviews at the time of its publication, it has since been identified as one of the best young adult novels of all time.^[1] Set at the fictional Trinity High School, the story follows protagonist Jerry Renault as he challenges the school's cruel, brutal, and ugly mob rule. Because of the novel's language, the concept of a high school's secret society using intimidation to enforce the cultural norms of the school, and the protagonist's sexual ponderings, it has been the frequent target of censors and appears at number four on the American Library Association's list of the "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000". ^[2] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (410x700, 44 KB) Summary This cover to The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, was illustrated by Victor Stabin, and appeared on the mass-market paperback edition published in 1986 by Laurel-Leaf Books (a division of Random House). ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Young adult (YA) literature is literature written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents. ... A publisher is a person or entity which engages in the act of publishing. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Hardcover books A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) is a book bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth, heavy paper, or sometimes leather). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... ISBN redirects here. ... Beyond The Chocolate War is the sequel to the award-winning book The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. ... Young adult (YA) literature is literature written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents. ... This article is about the literary concept. ... For other uses, see Author (disambiguation). ... Robert Cormier Robert Edmund Cormier (January 19, 1925 – November 2, 2000) was an American author for young adults. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Ochlocracy (Greek: οχλοκρατια; Latin: ochlocratia) is government by mob or a disorganized mass of people. ... ALA Logo The American Library Association (ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. ... Due to the controversial nature of free speech in the United States many books have been challenged by a variety of groups and agencies in order to prevent a particular work from being read by the general public. ...

Plot

High school freshman Jerry's mother has recently died. The novel opens with his try out for the football team, a scene in which he is continually battered but keeps getting up and trying again. His prep school, Trinity, is effectively run by "the Vigils," a secret school society who keep the other students under control by giving cruel "assignments." The novel alternates among several points of view, including Jerry; Archie, the Vigil "assigner"; Obie, Archie's sidekick; and other Trinity students. The novel explores Jerry's loneliness and sexual frustration, and Jerry frequently ponders the quotation posted inside his locker: "Do I dare disturb the universe?" from T. S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock". Thomas Stearns Eliot, OM (September 26, 1888 – January 4, 1965), was a poet, dramatist and literary critic. ... The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, a poem by T. S. Eliot, marked the start of his career as one of the twentieth centurys most influential poets. ...

Brother Leon, the assistant headmaster of the school, is striving to be headmaster. He believes that if he gets the students to sell twice as many boxes of chocolates at twice the price during their annual chocolate sale, the funds raised will aid him in getting the headmaster position. To motivate the students, he asks Archie and the Vigils for their help. The Vigils promise to support the chocolate sale, but give Jerry an assignment to refuse to sell chocolates during the first ten days of the sale and then take the chocolates afterwards. Even after the ten days are past, Jerry still refuses, angering Brother Leon and the Vigils. His continued refusal results in his becoming the victim of harassment and violence. In the end, the Vigils con Jerry into participating in a 'boxing match' with school thug and bully, Emile Janza, in which he is completely beaten. Jerry is severely injured and tells Roland Goubert, (nicknamed, The Goober), his only real friend, to do whatever The Vigils say, regardless of whether or not you want to. The book ends with Obie confronting Archie for his cruel actions, and telling him that someday, he will regret what he has done. Archie barely even listens, clearly having no remorse for what has happened.^[3]

Film adaptation

The book inspired the critically-acclaimed 1988 film of the same name, directed by Keith Gordon. It starred John Glover, Wallace Langham, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright. This motion picture also marks the debut of Gerald Engley as the Lovable and Realistic "Boy Who is Yanked." // Michael Jacksons first film was Moonwalker Rain Man, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise Who Framed Roger Rabbit, starring Bob Hoskins Coming to America, starring Eddie Murphy Big, starring Tom Hanks Twins, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito Crocodile Dundee II Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis The Naked Gun... Keith Gordon (born February 3, 1961 in New York City) is an American actor and film director. ... For others with the same name, see: John Glover (disambiguation). ... {Infobox Actor} | name = Wallace Langham | image = | caption = | birthdate = {{birth date and age|1965|03|11 | location = Fort Worth, Teaxas, United States | birthname = Wallace Langham | height = 5 feet 10 inches (1. ... Ilan Mitchell-Smith (born June 29, 1969 in New York City) is an American actor, probably best known for his starring role in the movie Weird Science (1985). ... Jenny G. Wright (born March 23, 1962 in New York, USA) was an actress whose career began with an appearance in Pink Floyd The Wall in 1982, playing an American groupie. ...

References