FREE SUMMARY - THE CHOCOLATE WAR BY ROBERT CORMIER

CHAPTER 20

Summary

When Brother Jacques says the word environment, all the boys in the class get up and jig. This is a Vigil assignment and it has been going on for over a week. Obie, who has been involved in many assignments--including helping The Goober with Room 19--wonders how they are able to get away with it all.

As Obie think about how tiring it is becoming, getting up and jogging every time Jacques says environment, he realizes Archie anonymously tipped the teacher off. Jacques is now using the word on purpose.

Notes

Here we see how Archie is not only out to get the teachers, he is out to entertain himself He enjoys chaos.

CHAPTER 21

Summary

Two students, Kevin and Danny are on the phone talking about how Jerry Renault has the right idea; they are sick of selling chocolates.

Two other students, Howie and Richy, discuss the same topic; they think Jerry has the right idea as well. Howie, who is also the president of the junior class, as well as an excellent student and athlete, says he will not sell them any longer either. Ricky is shocked.

Obie leaves a note for Archie to meet him in the gym. Obie tells him that Jerry is still not selling the chocolates. Obie convinces Archie that Jerry is defying The Vigils by refusing to sell the chocolates. Archie tells Obie to get Jerry to appear in front of the group. When Obie reminds Archie that he promised Leon that The Vigils would help in the sale, Archie says he will handle Leon.

Notes

The purpose of this chapter is to show how Jerry’s refusal to sell the chocolates is affecting the whole school. In a sense, his actions are competing with the powers of The Vigils because they are so influential. The Vigils must remain in control; for this reason Archie becomes involved.

CHAPTER 22

Summary

Brian Cochran is startled by how poorly the chocolate sale is going. Brother Leon has stopped checking the totals daily, but on this particularly bad day, Brother Leon appears. Leon makes Brian read off how many boxes each boy has sold. When Brian reads Jerry’s name, Leon grows angry. He says the boys have become infected by apathy and Renault is the carrier of the disease.

Notes

This chapter is a turning point of the novel. Leon is now blaming Jerry for the poor progress of the entire chocolate sale. This is the first time Leon shows he believes Renault is a real threat.

CHAPTER 23

Summary

The Goober tells Jerry that he wants to quit the football team. He tells Jerry that he heard Brother Eugene had a nervous breakdown. The Goober believes there is something evil in the school. The Goober says that he will not play football because it is a personal stance. It is because of what they are doing to them, to Eugene, to Jerry, to The Goober. Jerry says to think of it as a game. He thinks The Goober should play football. The Goober says he will not give anything else to Trinity.

Notes

In this chapter we see that The Goober is taking his own stand. Much like Jerry, The Goober senses something is wrong. Unlike Jerry, The Goober seems more certain of what he is rebelling against.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier-Free BookNotes Summary

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