Coming-of-Age/ Loss of Innocence

Cormier’s The Chocolate War is a classic coming-of-age story. Set in a Catholic boys’ high school, the novel explores the loss of innocence that one faces when confronted with the evils of the world. Jerry Renault, still mourning his mother’s death, watches as his father slogs through his days—with none good or bad, but just an unending “fine.” Jerry resolves to live a life where things happen, where he makes choices and experiences things—he does not want to become his father.

Inspired by a poster with a T.S. Eliot quote: “Do I dare disturb the universe?” Jerry decides not to sell the chocolates during the annual fundraising chocolate sale. Initially he had the support of the secret society, The Vigils, because they gave him the assignment to defy Brother Leon by not selling them, but when he continues not to...