Peer pressure plays a major factor in Robert Cormier's book, The Chocolate War. Peer pressure makes decisions, determines the outcome of conflicts, and often puts people in places they do not want to be in. Peer pressure is a big factor in The Chocolate War.
             A chocolate sale every year is tradition at Trinity High School, and the Headmaster is often the person who puts it on, but this year he is sick, so he issues a sale. Brother Leon puts on the sale for Trinity, but he has a few changes. First, he spends too much of the school's money buying the chocolates. Second, the chocolates are being sold for twice the amount of money they were the year before. Lastly, there are twice as many chocolates to be sold than the previous year. Leon goes to the Vigils for help. The Vigils are the most powerful organization in Trinity, and students look up to them. Archie Costello of the Vigils gives assignments to students and they have to do them, because he is powerful. Leon pulls Archie aside and tells him about the power he and the Vigils had in the school. "The kid was quick to comply and Archie was pleased with his submissiveness. I am Archie. My wish becomes command," (239). Archie and the Vigils pitch in and do their part. The only problem is, one freshman will not accept the chocolates.
             Jerry Renault is a freshman at Trinity and he refuses to sell the chocolates. He does this because the Vigils give him an assignment to refuse to sell the chocolates for ten days, and then accept them. After a few days word spreads of this and others stop
             selling chocolates and the school is losing money. "I heard Brother Jacques saying that Leon was abusing his power of attorney. That he'd overextended the school's finances," (162). Leon pressured Archie and the Vigils to help boost the sales any way they can. "Perhaps you should start with Renault, Leon said. I think he should be made to say 'yes&a...