The Chocolate War (Pages 120-172)

Title: The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier
Pages: 120-172
Chapters: 18-25

SUMMARY: The Goober along with everyone else thinks that Jerry is carrying out a Vigil's assignment. However, they were all wrong. Jerry is refusing to sell chocolates because of his own little reason, not that anyone was coercing him to rebel. His actions were affecting many others in Trinity. Soon, most kids began to applaud for Jerry's rebelliousness and admired him. Even some of the seniors extolled him, astonished by his actions. Jerry exerted this young defiant vibe that began catching up to most of the students like a chain reaction. Archie's assignments now seem to be clear and patterned. He wants to ruin the brothers (teachers) and make them miserable. Brother Jacques' room faced almost the similar fate, students jumping on top of the table. It was all Archie's plan. He wanted everyone to be wild when Brother Jacques said the word "environment." The plan was to cross off that vocabulary word but Brother Jacques was aware of the plan so he turned the tables and kept saying the word until the students were exhausted. That was pretty amazing. The words had spread around the school. The seniors have started to follow Jerry Renault's idea. No one had thought about the idea of refusing to sell chocolates even though they were all exhausted of selling chocolates.

QUOTATION: "I'm getting sick of selling stuff. Jeez, my father's starting to call me 'my son, the salesman'" (Cormier 140).

REACTION: This quote is humorous and ironic. Trinity is the college prep school around New England according to the book. Trinity's annual chocolate sales have begun to turn the students to 'salesman' rather than preparing them for college and higher level of education. That is the irony. On the other hand, its funny how the parents go along with the school's tradition rather than questioning the school officials. This quote was said by Danny, a senior who is in agreement with most other seniors that are in the movement to use the idea of Jerry Renault. They are all sick and tired of selling chocolates, running up to people and beseeching them to buy their candies like beggars. Who would like that? Certainly, not me. This book is about to take a huge turn and who knows what’s going to happen. It is going to be exciting.