Comparing Coming of Age in The Chocolate War and Boys Life :: comparison compare contrast essays

Coming of Age in The Chocolate War and Boys Life     Cory in Boys 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 administration 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 insouciant life. These devil 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, en counter many mental tests, which affect the boys views on life. The most provable test which shows this is the dealing with a close ones death. In Boys Life, Cory shows this best the way he completely changes his views on life and especially faith, when his best friend Davy emit dies. A good example is when Cory says I wasnt 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 Jerrys 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 mothers 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 routine s, and if he is turning out to be like his father (p52). The deaths involved in these two books challenge Cory and Jerrys beliefs and help them to grow and to mature into young adults.       Because of the boys determination, they are challenged in many ways. This is best shown in The Chocolate War with Jerrys decision not to share the chocolates.