An Interpretation Of The Chocolate War From Narrative Strategies

The chocolate war is considered the most successful work of Robert Cormier. The book earns Robert Cormier popularity and fame among readers. Robert Cormier is one of the most influential writers in American literary history. His works The Chocolate War plays the milestone role in literary history. It has broken past taboos and restrictions and put topics and contents that other writers do not dare to touch vividly in front of readers. His depictions of the coldness and ruthlessness of humanity,human beings' fight against authority and their surrender to evil forces as well as their inner contradictions,struggles and the pressures that they endure in the process make the readers tremble with fear. This thesis discusses that human beings suffer greatly in their fight against various forces. They are destroyed physically and spiritually in their battle. However,they achieve their dignity and nobility in their struggle. The article from narrative structure,the narrative perspective,the narrative language three aspects to analyze this novel alone ingenuity narrative strategy. Basing his works on the new realistic fictions that oppose the old romantic tradition,he strives to make further explorations of the true reality of life. His young protagonists do not struggle with the typical dating dilemmas,parental pressures or the growing pains that often plague adolescents in young adult fiction,but single handedly confront evil,corruption,the abuse of power, and the effects of conformity---loosing of innocence.On the other hand,Cormier makes invocations in the methods of literary creation. Having been a journalist,the experience exercised and helped to cultivate the writer a plain style: the seemingly simple diction contribute to rich theme; the piling up of short sentences build a great tension; intricate structure combined with diversified technique draw readers more deliberate attention in appreciation; characterization is no longer thin; dialogues are much closer to daily life; dirty words may also be witnessed. The author's candid description of evil especially that existing in young adults aroused great controversy that no other writer could match; his masterly manipulation of plots and characters won him critical admiration within and beyond the country. In psychological aspect,it comforts soul and spirit. In social aspect,it has the functions of moral persuasion and warning. His works give readers hope and faith to live in a cruel world.Many scholars and critics at home and abroad have made a detailed interpretation on The Chocolate War, but no one analyzes the novel from narrative strategy perspective. This paper provides a completely new perspective for study this novel by employing narrative theory. And it explores Robert Cormier's special writings on adolescent development and reveals her thinking about humanity and her love for the adolescent development culture.