THE CHOCOLATE WAR STUDY GUIDE

LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

While it is not explicitly stated, it seems that the plot is contemporaneous with the publishing of the novel, 1974. The setting is, predominantly, Trinity School. Trinity is an all boys Catholic high school.

CHARACTER LIST

Major Characters

Jerry Renault
Jerry is the protagonist and main character of this story. He is fourteen years old and a freshman at Trinity. His mother died the spring before the novel begins. He now lives alone with his father. Jerry refuses to sell chocolates for the school fundraiser.

Archie Costello
Archie is The Assigner for The Vigils, an underground organization of students at Trinity. He is maniacal and a villain. He tells Brother Leon he will help with the chocolate sale and harasses Jerry.

Minor Characters

Brother Leon
The Assistant Head Master of Trinity. He appears to be a pale, ingratiating pushover. However, in the class room Brother Leon is hawk-like, suspicious, and completely in control. He has misused the school’s funds and will stop at nothing to make sure the chocolates are sold.

Obie
Obie is Archie’s flunky. Obie is also a member of The Vigils and must do whatever Archie asks; even bring him Hershey’s candy. Obie hates Archie.

John Carter
The president of The Vigils, president of the Boxing Club, and the “big, beefy varsity guard” of the football team. He tries to show that he has the real power of The Vigils--even though it is obvious that Archie is running the show.

The Vigils
A gang within the school. They terrorize and attempt to control the school. Archie Costello is the "Assigner"/leader of The Vigils.

Gregory Bailey
A smart and sensitive boy whom Brother Leon accuses of cheating. Although no one else stands up to Leon, George maintains his innocence. George is innocent; Leon merely used him to prove a point.

Emile Janza
A brute, although he does not look like one. He is small and pale; he is on the football team. He is an animal and does not play by the rules. He ends up in the ring battling Jerry in the end of the novel.

Brother Eugene
Teaches in Room 19 and supposedly has a nervous breakdown after the room falls apart

Mrs. Hunter
The Renault’s housekeeper

Adamo
A freshman football player

Croteau
Another freshman football player

John Sulkey
He plans his chocolate sales because he wants to be the best.

Tubs Casper
A short and stocky kid who has to sell the chocolates to buy his girlfriend a bracelet.

Ellen Barrett
The girl from the bus stop who smiles at Jerry.

Frankie Rollo
A junior picked for a Vigils assignment who challenges Archie’s authority and Carter punches.

Brian Cochran
The treasurer of the chocolate sale

Brother Jaques
A new young teacher, overheard telling Brother Leon that he thinks Leon is abusing his power of attorney.

Brother Andrew
Jerry’s art teacher

Harvey Cranch
A bully that assists Emile in picking on Jerry

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier-Free BookNotes Summary

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