In eight pages this young adult novel and its prevailing themes including tyranny are examined. There are no other sources listed.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_khchowar.rtf
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dare disturb the universe?" -- a quote from T.S. Eliots poem "The Waste Land" (93). Jerry comes to understand the meaning behind these words as he pits himself against the
will of the Vigils, an unofficial "club" of boys that rule over the rest of the student body. At first, Jerry fills empowered by his stance. He identifies with
the man pictured in the poster -- "the solitary man on the beach standing upright and alone and unafraid, poised at the moment of making himself heard and known in
the world, the universe" (Cormier 143). However, after being severely beaten in a rigged boxing match, Jerry feels differently. Through the pain, he tries to tell his closest friend his
new wisdom, which is "Dont disturb the universe, Goober, no matter what they posters say" (Cormier 187). The student researching this topic should come to a personal decision as
to whether to agree or disagree with this new stance. However, personally, this writer feels that tyranny should be opposed when it is encountered. 2. Jerry Renault as "hero"
At the end of the novel, Jerry is in pain and regretful of the stance that he took in not buckling under the will of the Vigils and selling the
chocolates. However, whether he realizes it or not, he is still a hero for trying to the utmost of his ability to correct a situation that is inherently wrong.
Archie Costello and the Vigils are petty tyrants, but they are tyrants, nonetheless. Likewise, the only difference between Brother Leon and a fascist dictator, is only a matter of degree.
Brother Leon has a modicum of power over the lives of the boys in the school, but he welds this power maliciously, taking obvious pleasure in causing discomfort. At the