58 pages 1 hour read

Robert Cormier

The Chocolate War

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1974

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 17-23

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 17 Summary

Most of the school knows about Jerry’s Vigils assignment. Jerry tells The Goober that this is the last day. The Goober notices during roll call that Brother Leon appears “buoyant” and there is a sense of relief in the class. When Leon calls “Renault,” he is met with a long pause before Jerry shouts “No!” They stare at each other, and then Jerry announces that he is not going to sell the chocolates.

Chapter 18 Summary

Jerry questions himself about why he continues his refusal to sell the chocolates but finds no answers. He tosses and turns in bed and feels claustrophobic, as though he has been “buried alive” (114). This imagery terrifies him and he gets up, still thinking about why he refused to sell the chocolates He concludes that it was partly Brother Leon’s little cruelties but also something more. His choice shocks even himself. He thinks about how much he looked forward to saying “yes” to the chocolates, how the hatred would leave Brother Leon’s eyes, and how he would be a normal student again. He returns to bed, mulling over his choice, his father’s routine and dull life, the young man on the Common who insisted he was missing out, and a beautiful girl he noticed at the bus stop.

Related Titles

By Robert Cormier

Plot Summary

logo

Beyond the Chocolate War

Robert Cormier

Beyond the Chocolate War

Robert Cormier

Study Guide

logo

I Am the Cheese

Robert Cormier

I Am the Cheese

Robert Cormier

Plot Summary

logo

The Bumblebee Flies Anyway

Robert Cormier

The Bumblebee Flies Anyway

Robert Cormier

Plot Summary

logo

The Rag and Bone Shop

Robert Cormier

The Rag and Bone Shop

Robert Cormier

Study Guide

logo

Tunes for Bears to Dance To

Robert Cormier

Tunes for Bears to Dance To

Robert Cormier

Plot Summary

logo

We All Fall Down

Robert Cormier

We All Fall Down

Robert Cormier