The document provides background information on author Robert Cormier and his novel The Chocolate War. It discusses Cormier's life experiences and influences, as well as themes in his writing around institutions of power and the dark side of society. The document outlines characters and plot points in The Chocolate War and examines questions around the book's controversial content and whether depicting reality merits censorship. It also briefly summarizes two of Cormier's other novels, The Chocolate War, and I Am the Cheese.

1. The Chocolate War Robert Cormier

2. To understand the novel… …We must understand the author Robert Cormier (1925-2000) Family moved frequently during The Depression Attended private schools K-12 Always knew he would be a writer

3. Robert Cormier Grand master of YA literature Is a political writer Writes about systems and philosophies rather than people Characters cannot be separated from the themes of the novel

4. For example… His first novel was Now and At the Hour (1960) About a man with lung cancer who hides his pain to keep from burdening his family Focus is not the man, but about the institution of a family

5. The Chocolate War Came about when his son refused to sell chocolate for his school fundraiser Themes: Individual vs. Society, Abuse of Power, Peer Pressure, Dark side of Catholicism, Abuse of Power Examines inner workings of a private school with conclusions that apply to bigger institutions (For example: government, social clubs, churches)

6. Banned Books The Chocolate War is surrounded by controversy Political cynicism Sense of despair Few but emotional passages concerning sex and violence

7. Does Cormier try to convince teens of nonexistent brutality? “ In a lot of instances, young adults are living that darker side of life or are aware of it through television, movies or what they see and hear on school buses or in the school corridors. For some reason, many people think teenagers live in a kind of vacuum. They don't. And when they read about the dark side of life in books, it gives an affirmation to what they see and hear every day. For the more protected and isolated teenager, the books give them a dose of reality, of what's really going on in the world out there that's waiting for them.” ~ Robert Cormier (2000)

8. Pause for Discussion…. Discuss the following questions with a small group & take notes for class discussion. What is your definition of brutal? Define using specific examples from society. Are teens brutal? If so, in what ways? Is adult society brutal? If so, in what ways?

9. The ultimate question… Is writing about reality worthy of censorship? Does Cormier write about reality? Or…is his writing too sensationalized?

10. Characters Jerry Renault Main character Takes on the biggest bullies in the school Shows strength and individualism Archie Costello The antagonist Is revered and feared: designs psychological punishments for the students Gets away with everything Psychopathic tendencies: no loyalties, no favoritism

11. Characters Emile Janza Thug who uses physical cruelty Used by Archie The Vigils Gang of kids who run the school Archie is leader Other members: Obie (recognizes Archie’s cruelty), Carter (president)

12. Characters Brother Leon Head administrator of the school Borrows unauthorized $$ to fund chocolates, desperate to sell, sanctions the Vigils Roland Goubert “ Goober” Jerry’s only ally Becomes a victim of the Vigils’ assignments

13. Other books by Cormier Imagine discovering that your whole life has been a fiction, your identity altered, and a new family history created. Suddenly nothing is as it once seemed; you can trust no one, maybe not even yourself. It is exactly this revelation that turns 14-year-old Adam Farmer's life upside down. As he tries to ascertain who he really is, Adam encounters a past, present, and future too horrible to contemplate. Suspense builds as the fragments of the story are assembled--a missing father, government corruption, espionage--until the shocking conclusion shatters the fragile mosaic. (amazon.com)

14. Other books by Cormier In Fade, which encompasses three stories in three decades, 13-year-old Paul discovers an incredible secret gift: he can become invisible. His long-lost uncle appears, to tell Paul that each generation of the family has one fader, and to warn him of the fade's dangers. Paul, however, abuses his power and quickly learns its terrible price. Twenty-five years later, Paul, a successful writer, confronts the next fader, his abused nephew Ozzie, whose power is pure vengeance. And 25 years after that, in 1988, Paul's distant cousin Susan, also a writer, reads his amazing story, and must decide if Paul's memoir is fact or fiction.

15. Other books by Cormier A 7-year-old girl has been battered to death, and there are no suspects. The police, under political pressure to make an arrest, bring in Trent…who prides himself on his ability to extract confessions. His victim is 12-year-old Jason--the last person to see the girl. We know that Jason is innocent, and halfway through the interrogation Trent realizes it, too…But like a medieval torturer, his goal is confession, not truth, and so he stifles his impulses for good and proceeds with the job, with deeply ironic consequences.

16. Writing Assignment… Jerry’s Poster 2 paragraphs--What does this mean?? 2 paragraphs--Describe a recent moment in your life when you had to make this decision. An A+ goes above and beyond the minimum!!!