Chocolate War

A detailed Summary of Chocolate War

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is essentially about the abuse of power by the powerful and how those who do nothing provide the source of that power. Power used in this sentence refers to someone who has too much of control over people and activities. Abuse is using something wrongfully or for a bad purpose. This statement is somewhat true as the book is basically based around power and the abuse of it. There are some cases where those who do nothing provide the source of that power but this is not true in all cases.

Archie Costello is Jerry Renaults (the main character) nemesis. Archie is the head/leader of a powerful secret organisation called "The Vigils".

1. Cormier writes: "Not that it mattered. Not while Archie held that power. He would conquer all, even the black box"

Archie doesn't care what people say about him as long as he has the power.

The Vigils practically run the school and nothing is ever said about them.

2. Cormier writes: "Emile never fooled around with Archie. In fact, Archie was one of the few people in the world Emile respected. Maybe even feared. Archie and The Vigils."

This shows the real power of The Vigils, as Emile was one of the physically strongest boys in the school and he still f

Again Brother Leon abuses his power by intimidating people.

6. Cormier writes: "Can I count on you Archie?" Leon's forehead was damp again. Archie decided to plunge. To see how far he could go. "But what can I do? I'm just one guy." "You have influence, Archie."

3. Cormier writes: "I called your name. Your response could have been either yes or no. Yes means that like every other student in this school you agree to sell a certain amount of chocolates, in this case fifty boxes. No - and let me point out that the sale is strictly voluntary, Trinity forces no one to participate against his wishes this is the great glory of Trinity - no means you don't want wish to sell the chocolates, that you refuse to participate. Now what is your answer? Yes or no?"

In one incident Brother Leon asks a timid boy called Bailey to the front of the class and accuses him of cheating because he gets A grades in all his classes. Bailey keeps denying he cheats whilst Brother Leon makes a mockery of him in front of the class

4. Cormier writes: "As he spoke, he gestured his arm becoming the wind, the pointer in his hand followed the direction of the wind and suddenly without warning, striking Bailey on the cheek. The boy leaped backwards in pain and surprise. "Bailey I'm sorry," Leon said, but his voice lacked apology. Had it been an accident? Or another of Leon's little cruelties?

Some common words found in the essay are:
Vigils Leon's, Yes Leon, Vigils Vigils, Leon Vigils, Bailey I'm, Jerry Renaults, Robert Cormier, Archie Leon's, Gregory Bailey, Nazi Germany, cormier writes, power vigils, abuse power, provide source, source power, provide source power, leon vigils, vigils abuse power, boys school, archie vigils, selling chocolates, abused power, feared archie vigils, leon abuses power,

Approximate Word count = 984
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English