Beyond The Chocolate War

Beyond The Chocolate War, a novel written by Robert Cormier is the compelling sequel to The Chocolate War. Robert Cormier is a successful writer who pictures the typical lives of everyday people with extraordinary talent. He is also the author of After The First Death the set novel for year 10 this year. As the names suggest, these books revolve around the same classification: conflict however these are not your common books about pure physical war and battle but it adresses the other side of conflict - the thoughts racing though the characters minds. He very carefully nurtures the plot and story through not only the actions but the thinking of people to build up to a complex climax. The genre of Beyond The Chocolate War is a psychological thriller that deals with the darker side side of human nature. The novel considers real life situations exaggerated for more effect is a very psychological manner. The dilemmas and predicaments experienced by the many characters in the story are expressed via the battle with their own mind, their decisions and the outcomes of their decisions afterwards. There are many themes in Beyond The Chocolate War that all contribute to the composition on the story. Relationships, sexual desires, figh

It is very successful in captivating me and even involves me in it. The were numerous examples of relationships and sexual desires with the main character (Obie) having a girlfriend and other people lusting after her. He is still in shock and the book refers to some of his feelings about the confrontation with the boy who beat him up Emile Janza - a supposedly stupid person with muscles bulging everywhere. This is a very real aspect of everyday life. Fighting was not used much - like brain over brawn although there were some fights involving physical violence and injury between students. " To make it even more realistic he includes various swear words and profane language in the students dialogues. Besides the descriptions taken from the characters minds, there is much dialogue which some sort contrastsimilarities to their thoughts. The writer employs a very descriptive style, which utilises both first and third person perspective's (predominantly third person). This group is responsible for prankspractical jokes (known as "assignments" to the Vigils) around the school and has caused much disruption in the school and even some deaths. The authority of the leader of the Vigils (Archie Costello) was enormous, he controlled practically everyone in the school except Brother Leon the Head Master. The leader or "assigner" gives out the pranks to be carried to its members and no-one dares to defy the assigner. The chapters that describes David's thoughts are like a time bomb waiting to go off, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Over 34 of the story is from the eyes of the main character Obie who vows revenge on Archie Costello who ruined his life. Most of the people in the story blamed it on the dictatorship of Archie Costello which led to rebellion.