Throughout the novel The Chocolate War, written by Robert Cormier, there are many themes and situations whether they are major or very subtle. One theme that is really important to the novel is what Jerry considers Disturbing the Universe. Within the book Jerry "disturbs the universe" in such a way that it causes havoc within Trinity School. The novel The Chocolate War offers a realistic approach on modern society when it comes to going outside of what you are taught and the social norms.
             Every year at Trinity School they have a chocolate sale for an annual school fund-raiser and every year it is almost like every student is forced to sell chocolates or they will be shunned. The annual school fund raiser was coming up and Jerry Renault was trying to impress the Vigils so this year he said, "No" when asked if he wanted to sell chocolates. He had to deny the chocolates for ten days straight but after those ten days were up he continued. He did this because he felt that being forced to do something you didn't want to do was outrageous so by him doing this it outraged the the school and caused commotion. Him doing this showed the Vigils that they were not in charge of him and he could do whatever he wants to do on his own. The social norm would be to sell the chocolates but he goes against it therefore "disturbing the universe."
             In the novel the the universe is represented as the world created by the school and The Vigils. They make everything seem such as if that is the way it should be happening. The Vigils rule the school and whatever they say goes no matter what. They are so powerful because they are connected with Brother Leon who runs the school. Such as Jerry saying no to the chocolates, it is like defying something huge which creates havoc and "disturbs the universe." Before Jerry no one has ever went against the Vigils or have even thought about it because everyone wa...