Editorial on The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a novel on bullies, violence, on a kid who challenges the system and too much power to the authorities.
In the story, Jerry attends the Trinity High School. He is a perfectly normal student whose mother has recently died. It is an annual schools tradition that the students should sell some chocolates for charity, however, this year, all students should sell the double of the usual quota. Selling chocolates is volountary and jerry refuses to sell the chocolates. Initially the other students regard him a as a hero and as symbol of the resistance but when the Vigils, the school gang, start acting in favour of the chocolate sell, the students, fearful, begin to oppose Jerry. Eventually Jerry is beaten up in a boxing match organized by the Vigils. This story is rather fascinating and it shows how older students behave towards younger ones.
In this school and its "protective environment", students are being bullied, beaten up and intimidated by the older students and particularly by the Vigils. In the schools, there is a strict hierarchy in which the younger students are at the bottom while the older ones are at the top. If a student is not appreciated by the Vigils, he will probably not be able to rise in this system because of the enormous influence they have. Although the teachers do not officially recognize them, they respect the Vigils too. In the story, the headmaster of the school will ask the Vigils to support his chocolate selling campaign because it was not having a particular success. All of the teachers are very strict, perhaps too much and, although the ability to prevent confusion is positive, too much severity limits the ability of the students.
What Jerry tries to do could be perhaps defined as anarchy, since it could be defined as a revolt against the system and an attempt to overthrow the school authorities. It is possible that the author might have been inspired by a historical event such as Ghandi's boycott against the British. However Jerry, unlike Ghandi, lacked of popular support and the people he is revolting against are too powerful for him.
In the school, a lot of violence, both physical and psychical, takes place. Violence and intimidation are mostly used by the Vigils, the school bullies. If a student notified the Vigils to an honest teacher, such as Brother Jacques, probably they would be dismantled. However, they are very able at intimidation and the students fear them, particularly Archie, and do not dare challenge their authority. Jerry's revolt was a perfect opportunity for them to gain the headmaster's approval while Jerry's beating gained the students' support and gave them a taste of their power.
In conclusion, the school's system is dominated by the eldest students and the Vigils, Jerry's revolt failed mostly because of lack of popular support while the Vigils use intimidation and violence to rule the school society.
Further information on The Chocolate War
In the story, Jerry attends the Trinity High School. He is a perfectly normal student whose mother has recently died. It is an annual schools tradition that the students should sell some chocolates for charity, however, this year, all students should sell the double of the usual quota. Selling chocolates is volountary and jerry refuses to sell the chocolates. Initially the other students regard him a as a hero and as symbol of the resistance but when the Vigils, the school gang, start acting in favour of the chocolate sell, the students, fearful, begin to oppose Jerry. Eventually Jerry is beaten up in a boxing match organized by the Vigils. This story is rather fascinating and it shows how older students behave towards younger ones.
In this school and its "protective environment", students are being bullied, beaten up and intimidated by the older students and particularly by the Vigils. In the schools, there is a strict hierarchy in which the younger students are at the bottom while the older ones are at the top. If a student is not appreciated by the Vigils, he will probably not be able to rise in this system because of the enormous influence they have. Although the teachers do not officially recognize them, they respect the Vigils too. In the story, the headmaster of the school will ask the Vigils to support his chocolate selling campaign because it was not having a particular success. All of the teachers are very strict, perhaps too much and, although the ability to prevent confusion is positive, too much severity limits the ability of the students.
What Jerry tries to do could be perhaps defined as anarchy, since it could be defined as a revolt against the system and an attempt to overthrow the school authorities. It is possible that the author might have been inspired by a historical event such as Ghandi's boycott against the British. However Jerry, unlike Ghandi, lacked of popular support and the people he is revolting against are too powerful for him.
In the school, a lot of violence, both physical and psychical, takes place. Violence and intimidation are mostly used by the Vigils, the school bullies. If a student notified the Vigils to an honest teacher, such as Brother Jacques, probably they would be dismantled. However, they are very able at intimidation and the students fear them, particularly Archie, and do not dare challenge their authority. Jerry's revolt was a perfect opportunity for them to gain the headmaster's approval while Jerry's beating gained the students' support and gave them a taste of their power.
In conclusion, the school's system is dominated by the eldest students and the Vigils, Jerry's revolt failed mostly because of lack of popular support while the Vigils use intimidation and violence to rule the school society.
Further information on The Chocolate War
posted by Matteo Z at 10:03 AM
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