For my independent reading I am reading, "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier. It was published in 1974. So far I have noticed that the tone of the story to be serious.
As I am reading I notice that there are many things that are constantly brought up. Symbols that are being constantly brought up in the story are the chocolates. The title even has the word chocolate in it. So right off the bat you know that chocolate is going to have some meaning in this story.
The setting of this story is at Trinity school which is an all boys school. Jerry who is a main character refuses to sell chocolates at the chocolate sale. He doesn't like the idea of the chocolates being sold, so he rebels against it. Although his school punishes him he wont cave into selling them and this is where the conflict begins.
As i am reading i wonder if he will give into all the pressure of having to sell the chocolate even if he doesn't think it is right. This story is showing how people can manipulate someone to do something they don't want to.
-Chante E.
I, myself, love chocolate so I am interested in this book. However, I'm slightly confused. Why does he not want to sell the chocolate? Either way, this does sound like an interesting book with a lot of symbolism.
ReplyDelete^-Stephanie Kim
DeleteI think it's interesting that this book is about chocolate and that the school is punishing the boy for not selling chocolates. I also have the same question as Stephanie and I am interested in knowing what will happen to Jerry.
ReplyDelete-Jamie N
Chante-
ReplyDeleteI find it ironic that "The Chocolate War" is as serious a novel as chocolate has a laid back connotation to me. What do you think the chocolate symbolizes? Could this novel be an allegory for some event in history?
-Collin Gilchrist
The chocolate man!!!! Chocolate is an interesting symbol? What do you think the chocolate represents Throughout the novel? I hope he doesn't give in, that would be kind of sad.
ReplyDelete-Lauren be. ^
ReplyDeleteNot what I was expecting the review to be about. I love chocolate so I was interested in knowing more about the novel. I was dissapointed to find out the novel had a serious mood. Chocolate is suppose to be uplifting, like "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Chocolate is the remedy for sad and harsh moods. Yet, somehow the author is able to allow serious tone to coexist with yummy, sweet chocolate. I find that very odd and interesting.
ReplyDelete-Melanie
Melanie-
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, I really enjoy eating chocolate too sometimes. It is interesting to hear that the author, Cormier, is using a serious tone to tell a story about chocolate; it's almost contradicting. Why would the school be forcing their students to sell the chocolate? That doesn't seem right. Maybe the author is trying to portray the idea that some people are a slave to chocolate and its subtle temptation? Although that could be a bit of a stretch for such a novel.
-Carleen R
They always say you can't judge a book by its cover but sometimes you can judge a book by its title, or maybe just have more insight of the book. :)
ReplyDeleteToni g
Chante ,
ReplyDeleteI am confused also, could you go into a deeper explanation of why it is based around chocolate ?
-Rachel V.
I don't believe Chante was far enough into the book to explain the importance of the chocolate just yet. I do believe it is important however to consider the concept behind the chocolate. Society is hard to get away from. No matter Howard we try to keep our individuality, the pressures of society are always pressing on our shoulders to act, do, and be what it wants.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to keep our individuality while still remaining in society?
Toni g
I think once the school starts actively punishing members for disobediance the "manipulation" has evolved into outright coercion. Although I suppose your manipulation simply meant getting someone to do something they did not want to do, although that defintion leaves out the method of getting other people to do stuff by making them want to do the stuff you want them to do.
ReplyDeleteAin't it great how we can define words to be whatever we want them to mean and never get into any trouble about defintions ever?
K. Lin
Im not exactly sure where this book is going with your feedback. But i would like to know more about this book and see what will happen later in this novel. Especially about the chocolate and what it has to do with the title.
ReplyDelete-jessica w
So what exactly happened? Did he ever give into the manipulation of selling the chocolate or did he remain standing ground with his beliefs? I think that every person has been placed in a situation as such, where you are pressured to do something you don't believe is right and you have to choose whether to do what everyone wants of you or go your own route. It seems like an interesting book, would love to know more about it!
ReplyDelete-Secada C.