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

Coming of Age in The Chocolate struggle and Boys Life     Cory in Boys Life and Jerry in The Chocolate War ar examples of characters in a bildungsroman      Many high school students read culmination of age novels, or bildungsromans such as Kidnapped, The Outsiders, To Kill a handle Bird, and legion(predicate) others. What these students, however, do not realize while reading these novels is that the suspensor of the story is growing and changing throughout the novel in many ways. Many of these changes ar 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 run across many conflicts, in which most teens can relate to in everyday flavor. These two books are examples of bildungsromans because both, Cory and Jerry change throughout the novel because of their mental testings and physical abuses.  The male protagonist, C ory and Jerry, encounter many mental tests, which affect the boys views on life. The most obvious test which shows this is the dealing with a close ones death. In Boys Life, Cory shows this topper the way he completely changes his views on life and especially faith, when his best friend Davy balance beam 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 hurt faith.  In The Chocolate War, when Jerrys mother dies he begins to look at life in a new way wondering if he is use away(p) 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 interest with his father after his mothers death and looks at him in a contrary way. When Jerry looks at his father one night, he wonders if his father is wasting away his life wi th 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 Jerrys beliefs and aid 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 sell the chocolates.