Julia Leider
Inspiration Map
The Chocolate War Comparison Essay
The purpose of this Inspiration Map is to assist the special needs student in completing a
five paragraph comparison essay of two characters in a novel. This concept map,
complete with many notes and sample sentence starters, will assist these students in
organizing their ideas and developing a beginning, middle and end to their essays.
Outline
Brother Leon compared to Archie
I.
Paragraph one: opening paragraph
In Robert Cormier’s dark teenage novel, The Chocolate War, his two main
characters Brother Leon and Archie run the world of Trinity High School.
These two characters are seen ruining the life of Jerry Renault after he
refuses to take part in a chocolate sale fundraiser. As the story unfolds,
the reader senses how these two characters are similar in their roles as
school leaders, manipulators and blackmailers.
II.
Paragraph two: leadership roles
A. How is Brother Leon a leader? “To begin with, Brother Leon…”
Brother Leon is head of the chocolate sale and assistant headmaster of
Trinity High School.
B. How is Archie a leader? “Similarly, Archie…”
Archie is the covert leader of the Vigils, a secret organization; he is
the Assigner, in charge of giving students unusual tasks that they are
required to complete
III.
Paragraph three: blackmail
A. How does Brother Leon use blackmail? “To begin with, Brother Leon…”
Brother Leon purposely fails Caroni, a straight A student, because he
wants information from him. He also threatened Archie that if he
doesn’t cooperate with him, he will dismantle the Vigils.
B. How does Archie use blackmail? “Similarly, Archie…”
Archie pretends to have a picture of Emile Janza in a bathroom stall,
and won’t let on that the picture does not really exist.
IV.
Paragraph four: manipulation
A. How is Brother Leon a manipulator? “Finally, Brother Leon…”
Brother Leon accuses Bailey of cheating so he can manipulate the
class.
B. How is Archie a manipulator?
Archie strives for psychological control of people, and achieves this in
part through numerous phone calls. He also has the Vigils sell Jerry’s
chocolates.
V.
Paragraph five: conclusion
This paragraph is similar to the introductory paragraph. Restate how the two
characters are similar in their roles as leaders, blackmailers and manipulators.