The Chocolate War

A detailed Summary of The Chocolate War

Robert Cormier is the author of The Chocolate War. This novel deals with the unique problems faced by teenagers. Following its success as a novel, Keith Gordon has directed and written a movie based on The Chocolate War.

This film is true to the novel unlike most movie adaptations today. However there is one difference. The ending from the novel and film completely differ from one another.

The novel is set in a middleclass catholic school. Trinity High School is full of a teenager's worst fear. A gang of seniors, named the Vigils, devise assignments to create fear among younger students. Archie is responsible for these devious plans which would make a prankster envious. But, to make sure Archie is never comfortable there is the black box. This box contains six marbles, five white and one black. At the conclusion of each Vigil meeting, Archie would have to place his hand in the box and withdraw a marble. If the marble were white the assignment would stand as it is. However if black, Archie would replace the person who originally was ordered by the Vigils.

Jerry Renault, ' A skinny kid trying to make the freshman team.' (Football) is continually hassled by the Vigils because of his refusal to se

I prefer the ending in the novel to the conclusion in the film.

This is where the difference in endings occur. In the novel, the plot concludes with Jerry Renault being viciously mauled by Emile Janza in the boxing ring. Archie had successfully avoided the fight by drawing two white marbles.

In the film Archie draws a black marble. He therefore replaces Janza in the ring. Jerry then beats Archie to a pulp.

So, when Jerry Renault steps into that ring he sinks lower and lower to the aggressor's level. He agrees to use violence. This is not Jerry Renault, the 'honest and straightforward' kid. In the novel Emile Janza physically destroys Renault.

ll chocolates for Trinity High. The students were becoming tired of selling goods for the school, so Brother Leon, who heads the chocolate sale, approaches Archie for help. For he knows that Archie has influence. 'He (Archie) knew now why he was here. Leon didn't mean Archie's help - he meant the help of the Vigils.'

As the fight is about to commence the black box appears. 'The sight of the black box stunned the gathering into a silence more deep than before.' Archie is surprised. He had not

Some common words found in the essay are:
Jerry Renault, Emile Janza, Trinity School, Archie Jerry, Golda Meir, Furthermore Jerry, Chocolate War, Vigils' Archie, Archie Leon, Keith Gordon, jerry renault, chocolate war, emile janza, black box, refusal sell chocolates, film jerry, mental strength, 'honest straightforward', novel film, forgive arabs, playing football,

Approximate Word count = 854
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Chocolate War

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