Realism and Censorship
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The Chocolate War
         The central theme of this controversial book is the misuse, and abuse, of power. It is often manifested in both the students as well as the teachers. Trinity is an all boys' school corrupted by bullies and insincere teachers. The Vigils are somewhat of an underground gang whose existence is denied by the teachers, although they themselves seek their help at some point in the story. When Brother Leon, the teacher in charge, makes an unwise decision on the purchase of some chocolates, he is forced to ask The Vigils for help in the fundraiser. The boxes cost twice as much this year, and the students are expected to sell twice as many boxes. The Vigils carry a great deal of power over the student body. They often summon students to a Vigils' meeting and there, present them with an assignment that must be carried out. As far as the reader is told, no one has ever refused to carry out an assignment. It is mentioned that because it is considered an honor to be given one, but it may easily be inferred that it is because the student is too afraid of the consequences of rejecting an assignment.
          Jerry Renault, a freshman bewildered by the recent death of his mother, is given the task of refusing to sell chocolates for ten days, only as an attempt to agitate Brother Leon, who expects all students to show their school spirit by helping in the fund raiser. At first, the students admire Jerry's audacity to refuse the chocolates. Word eventually gets out that Jerry is simply fulfilling an assignment, so Brother Leon patiently awaits the end of the ten days. However, when the assignment is over, Jerry decides he will continue to refuse the chocolates and the story takes an unexpected turn. The Vigils take his decision as a defiance, having already ordered him to begin selling the chocolates. His decision makes him the object of bullying and ridicule of the entire student body.
          A constant target of censorship, The Chocolate War contains some strong language and sexual content. Perhaps the most disturbing of all its aspects, is the corruption among the teachers. The reader is presented with teachers who bribe, blackmail, betray, and humiliate their own students. A sad line in the story is found when one of the students realizes that "life was rotten, that there were no heroes...and that you couldn't trust anybody, not even yourself." However, perhaps the most heartbreaking moment in the story is the moment when Jerry realizes the sad truth about life. "They tell you to do your thing, but they don't mean it....It's a laugh...a fake. Don't disturb the universe....no matter what the posters say." It is at this moment that the main character has lost all hope of ever speaking his mind, of being his own person. He has decided instead that in order to survive, one must be a follower and blend in with the crowd.

Cormier, Robert. 1974. The chocolate war. United States: Phantheon Books. ISBN 0-394
          82805-4.
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