Coming of Age in The Chocolate War and Boy's Life
Cory in Boy's Life and Jerry in The Chocolate War are examples of characters in a bildungsroman
Many high school students read coming of age novels, or bildungsromans such
as: Kidnapped, The Outsiders, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and many others. What
these students, however, do not realize while reading these novels is that
the protagonist of the story is growing and changing throughout the novel in
many ways. Many of these changes are results of conflicts, which most teens
face throughout their lives. In Boys Life, by Robert McCammon, and The
Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, the male protagonist encounter many
conflicts, in which most teens can relate to in everyday life. These two
books are examples of bildungsromans because both, Cory and Jerry change
throughout the novel because of their mental tests and physical abuses.
The male protagonist, Cory and Jerry, encounter many mental tests, which
affect the boy's views on life. The most obvious test which shows this is the
dealing with a close one's death. In Boy's Life, Cory shows this best the way
he completely changes his views on life and especially faith, when his best
friend Davy Ray dies. A good example is when Cory says "I wasn't sure of
anything anymore: not life, not afterlife, not God, not goodness." (p454).
Cory begins to understand that he must have faith. In The Chocolate War,
when Jerry's mother dies he begins to look at life in a new way wondering if
he is wasting away his life. He wonders if he is a part of anything special,
or if he is "sleepwalking" through life (p20). He later thinks of this often
when he thinks about disturbing the universe. He also shares very little
intimacy with his father after his mother's death and looks at him in a
different way. When Jerry looks at his father one night, he wonders if his
father is wasting away his life with everyday ordinary routines, and if he is
turning out to be like his father (p52). The deaths involved in these two
books challenge Cory and Jerry's beliefs and help them to grow and to mature
into young adults.
Because of the boy's determination, they are challenged in many ways.
This is best shown in The Chocolate War with Jerry's decision not to sell the
chocolates. He takes many verbal and physical abuses, but it does not affect
his decision. However, when he is brutally beat up in the last scene, he
changes his thoughts and tells Goober to do whatever they want you to do
(p187). Jerry takes many abuses, both physically and mentally, but this last
fight is the one that makes him realize that he should not go against the
crowd and disturb the universe. In Boy's Life, Cory keeps his determination
through the entire book and finally discovers the murderer of Jeff Hannaford
(p488). Cory's determination, however, leads him to almost being killed, when
Dr Lezander kidnaps him and they almost drown in Saxon's Lake (p555). Both
boy's learn that there are many dangers when one goes against the crowd, or
has different beliefs.
As one grows throughout life, they encounter many challenges which can
change one's thinking. These may include dealing with a loved one's death or
the dangers of individualism. Bildungsromans show how the protagonists change
throughout the story. Many adolescents can learn life lessons from reading
coming of age novels.Partner sites: Labrador Retriever, Study Spanish in Costa Rica, and Free Essays and Term Papers