Chapter Twenty
by testsuphomeAdminIn Chapter Twenty of “The Chocolate War,” the chaos in Brother Jacques’ U.S. History class serves as a demonstration of the power dynamics at Trinity, particularly controlled by The Vigils, a group of students led by Archie. The chapter opens with the abrupt onset of pandemonium as Obie and his classmates respond to a signal orchestrated by Archie: whenever Brother Jacques mentions the word “environment,” the students erupt into a ridiculous display of energy, jumping up and down in silence.
Brother Jacques, a young and inexperienced teacher, is clearly unsettled by this absurd behavior, which has been occurring for more than a week. He does not intervene, perhaps believing it to be merely a prank that will run its course. Meanwhile, Obie reflects on the absurdity of the situation—everyone knows the stunts are the result of Archie’s manipulations, yet they choose to pretend ignorance. Obie feels drained and frustrated, caught between his role within The Vigils and his disdain for Archie’s antics.
Archie, seeing the broader context of environmental concerns, engages his classmates in this farcical campaign against Brother Jacques. During an assignment disclosed by Archie, the objective is to reduce the teacher’s vocabulary by making the class mock him every time he uses “environment.” Despite his reluctance, Obie plays along, knowing he will be tasked with prodding Brother Jacques into mentioning the word. The entire stunt becomes a source of frustration for Obie, as he grows increasingly tired of handling Archie’s whims and ensuring the pranks unfold as planned.
However, as the chapter progresses, Brother Jacques unexpectedly gains the upper hand by turning the students’ mockery back on them after he’s tipped off about the situation. As he now encourages the class to jump to the word, Obie realizes he is no longer part of the intended joke. Anger and embarrassment surge through him as he leaves the classroom, vowing revenge against Archie, who stands smirking outside, completely unfazed by the chaos he has orchestrated. This chapter highlights the installation of authority and resistance, showcasing the struggle between the students’ rebellion and the teachers’ responses in the microcosm of Trinity’s educational environment.
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