When Ms. Robbins told the class that we’re going to study Coming of Age, I was thinking “When are we ever going to stop doing work?” Then when I looked through the list of the COA books I thought they were all going to be boring to read. So I looked through the list and I wind up choosing The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. As I began reading it turned out to be interesting. It’s about Jerry who goes to a school named Trinity. He’s focused on making the football team because he wants to be a part of something. He doesn’t want to turn out like his dad, so far away from happiness.
From the beginning of the story Jerry is focused on making the football team now matter how many times he gets insulted by the coach. So why does Jerry keep on trying to make the football team even after getting brutally tackled down again and again? Well it’s like I said he doesn’t want to turn out like his dad. Jerry’s dad life is completely boring to him. He’s basically a zombie. When Jerry comes home he sees his dad taking a nap. He starts to think how his dad’s life must be so pale and gray. Jerry’s mom is dead and Jerry has doubts about his dad. So why wouldn’t his dad’s life be almost like torture. Later on when Jerry sees himself in the mirror, he almost sees his father’s face reflected on his own face. Jerry then decided that he wouldn’t turn out to be like his dad. He’ll be part of something and he’ll do that by joining the football team.
I think that’s when Jerry starts to come of age a bit. Jerry has a goal in his mind and he goes through with it. But I also think he resents the fact of him growing up a bit. Right now I’m thinking the only thing that’s going through Jerry’s head must be, “Wow is this what adults do all day? Going to job and coming back? Don’t they do anything exciting?” I agree with Jerry, I definitely wouldn’t want to become an adult after seeing his dad. It would make me think all the thoughts Jerry has right now.
I’m pretty sure this definitely happens to people. Not wanting to become an adult because some moment in a person’s life they think adults are boring and do work all day. That mostly happens to a little kid I guess. Children are carefree when they’re little and are always having fun. But a time comes when a person has to grow up.
