Analysis of The Chocolate War by Cormier Robert - Book Report/Review Example

"The Chocolate War" Apathy is a of being indifferent, by suppressing emotions which may include excitement, motivation and passion. An individual who is apathetic is not interested in or not concerned about emotional, social or physical aspects of life. Therefore, when Brother Leon, the administrative head of the school asserts that the boys are infected with apathy (Cormier 147) he is right. For instance, when Jerry refuses to sell chocolates “I am not going to the meeting. I am not going to do an assignment” (Robinette 39), other students follow suit.

In the book, freshmen at Trinity High School are confronted by the school gang, commonly known as The Vigils. Archie Costello heads The Vigils and the group is specialized in giving assignments that have to be completed by other students. Depending on the individuals, the assignments are different from one person to the other and are intended to inflict as much psychological torture as possible. For instance, when Goober, Jerry’s friend is given an assignment of unscrewing desks, chairs and hinges, he undergoes negative emotional consequences when the desks and chairs fall apart the moment the students come to class the following day.

Apathy is indeed infectious. When Jerry refuses to sell the chocolates, he is considered a hero, since his fellow students also refuse to sell their chocolates 1st Student remarks that “I never thought of saying ‘no’ like you did. That was awesome” (Robinette 56). This clearly indicates that other students were infected by apathy. Jerry proves Archie right when he tells Obie that Jerry is emotionally strong since after loosing his mother, he has stood on his feet by joining school in such a short period of time.

Archie claims “Don’t let him fool you. He is a tough one. Gets wiped out all day, then gets right back up on his feet” (Robinette 12). During certain instances, it is imperative that an individual violates the society around him/her, particularly when the society goes against his/her personal norms. Jerry decides to embrace the assertions of a poster in his locker that reads “Do I dare disturb the Universe?” (Robinette 39). This was wise of him since every individual has the right to choose what is consciously right for him/her.

When Jerry remarks that refusing to sell chocolates is a kind of perversion, he is right, since perversion is an aspect that best describes the behavior of human beings that are considered to be deviating from what is regarded as being normal. At the Trinity school, it was evident that The Vigils were accorded permission to give assignments to freshmen, and they were backed by the administration, a role diligently played by Brother Leon. Therefore, anyone who violated the assignments was deemed to be a pervert.

Jerry’s refusal to sell chocolates can be regarded as perversion, at least according to him, since he was going against the norms of the school. However, the assertion that apathy is infectious is short lived since other students make big sales of their chocolates. Jerry is in turn punished by being beaten by Emile Janza, a school thug and the administration covers up the punishment. Brother Leon reports to The Vigils that Jerry has undergone multiple injuries, but does not punish Emile Janza, Archie remarks “Beautiful.

The vigils escape unscathed once again” (Robinette 104). Jerry does not regret violating the assignment given by The Vigils, since he acknowledges that he is on the right side of his instincts and consciousness. Therefore, when a society goes against what one deems to be right, then it is imperative that the individual violates the demands of that particular society. Works Cited Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. 30th Anniversary Edition. Ember, 2004. Robinette, Joseph. Robert Cormiers The Chocolate War.

Illinois: Woodstock, 2001.