The Chocolate War DQ’s Chapters 20-30

1. Why is it cool to be in the Vigils?
It’s because you can get away with a lot of stuff that you do even though it’s wrong.
2. Obie obviously does not like Archie or being in the Vigils. Why does he stay?
It’s better than being against the Vigils.
3. Brother Leon says sales are down because of apathy. Is that true?
Not really, because the prices are high this year and the students have to sell more than what they usually sell.
4. Is trying to get the students to sell chocolates just a game? Why or why not?
It kind of is, because everybody’s competing against each other. And they have to sell the chocolate for the school.
5. Did Jerry become a symbol to other students?
Yes, because it’s a symbol that said that it’s okay to say no and stand for what you believe in, but at the same time it’s a sign that said “don’t disturbed the universe”, because in the end Jerry still loses and the Vigils still win.
6. Who or what gives the Vigils such power?
It’s the students. They fear the Vigils so much that they can’t do anything about it. If everybody’s like Jerry, then it might have turn out differently. They’re just scared of being out numbered or singled out by everybody.
7. Who or what in your life gives you the courage to stand up for yourself? Who do you wish encouraged you? Why?
My family gives me courage to stand up for myself, because they support me in the things that I do.
8. Carter punches Rollo when he talks back to Archie. Why does he do this?
Because he can’t take Archie anymore. He can’t take the way Archie played his cat-mouse game with the victims. He also wants to show that he’s the one who’s in control.
9. Is the quote, “All schools have animals” true?
Yes, but it also depends on how you deal with them.
10. How would the dynamics at Trinity change if it was a co-ed school?
It would be a lot different, because instead of picking on guys all the time the assigner might assign girls to do the job. It would definitely be more dramas.
11. Why do people get caught up in a herd mentality?
Because they don’t want to get left out of the group.
12. “Funny – someone does violence to you but you’re the one who has to hide, as if you’re the criminal.” Explain this quote. Is this true in real life? Give examples.
Someone beat you up but you’re the one who’s kind of embarrassed to show your face. It’s really hard to explain.
13. What is the difference between a spirit of brotherhood and what the boys at Trinity have?
Brotherhood is something that you chose to do at your own free will. But the boys at Trinity school were force to do a lot of things. They said that it’s okay to do their own thing but what they really mean is that it’s okay to do your own thing as long as it’s what the Vigils wants.
14. Did Jerry have to go to the field to fight?
NO!
15. What would you have done in Jerry’s situation?
I would tell Archie that I will be there but then I wont really show up at the field to make Archie fall from his power.
16. To what lengths would you go to stand up for something?
All the way, because you cant just start something and give it up half way.
17. Silence = consent. What does that mean?
If you don’t say anything, then it’ll gat you out of trouble and that will give you peace.
18. How does the ending feel to you?
It’s ironic, because we expect the good guy to win but it’s the bad guy who won. I don’t like it, because it’s not fair.
19. Does this story leave the reader with any hope at all? Explain.
No, because at the end Jerry though to himself that he shouldn’t have disturbed the universe after all.
20. If you had to predict what happened next (after the ending of the story), what would you say happens?
Jerry father sue the school. Brother Leon got fired. And the Vigils are gone, because after what happened, nobody’s scare of them anymore.