Plot Summary
Jerry Renault is a freshman at the all-boys Trinity Prep School. Trinity is run by a manipulative, evil, temporary headmaster named Brother Leon. Brother Leon is determined to make this years fundraiser bigger and more profitable than any other to insure that he is named the new, permanent headmaster of Trinity. The Vigils are a gang of bullies at Trinity that delight in playing mind games with their victims. The Vigils assign Jerry the task of refusing to participate in the annual chocolate sale fundraising for 10 days. When the 10 days are up Jerry still refuses to sell the chocolates. Brother Leon convinces the Vigils that Jerry is disobeying their command and the war between Jerry and the Vigils begins.
Critical Analysis
Archie Costello is the mastermind behind the Vigils, the Trinity Prep Schools gang of bullies. Archies weapon of choice is psychological terror. In The Chocolate War, Cromier has created a psychological masterpiece, expertly crafting a story so believable you cant help but be drawn in. He has created a complex cast of characters who all have a role in the devastation that befalls Jerry for daring to stray from the status quo.
What makes this book so powerful is its brutal honesty. Cromier doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of adolescence or life, no subject is taboo; a greedy, manipulative priest, sexuality, and profanity are present in the book. Because the book is so powerful some readers may be turned off by these subjects and the negativity that is a central theme in the story line. However, I believe that this honesty is what makes the book so authentic and appealing.
Jerry Renault is a freshman at the all-boys Trinity Prep School. Trinity is run by a manipulative, evil, temporary headmaster named Brother Leon. Brother Leon is determined to make this years fundraiser bigger and more profitable than any other to insure that he is named the new, permanent headmaster of Trinity. The Vigils are a gang of bullies at Trinity that delight in playing mind games with their victims. The Vigils assign Jerry the task of refusing to participate in the annual chocolate sale fundraising for 10 days. When the 10 days are up Jerry still refuses to sell the chocolates. Brother Leon convinces the Vigils that Jerry is disobeying their command and the war between Jerry and the Vigils begins.
Critical Analysis
Archie Costello is the mastermind behind the Vigils, the Trinity Prep Schools gang of bullies. Archies weapon of choice is psychological terror. In The Chocolate War, Cromier has created a psychological masterpiece, expertly crafting a story so believable you cant help but be drawn in. He has created a complex cast of characters who all have a role in the devastation that befalls Jerry for daring to stray from the status quo.
What makes this book so powerful is its brutal honesty. Cromier doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of adolescence or life, no subject is taboo; a greedy, manipulative priest, sexuality, and profanity are present in the book. Because the book is so powerful some readers may be turned off by these subjects and the negativity that is a central theme in the story line. However, I believe that this honesty is what makes the book so authentic and appealing.
