Eastern Illinois University The Keep Masters Theses Student Theses & Publications 1998 Beyond the Problem Novel: Robert Cormier's Vision and the World of Adolescent Tragedy Erik M. Walker Eastern Illinois University This research is a product of the graduate program in English at Eastern Illinois University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Walker, Erik M., "Beyond the Problem Novel: Robert Cormier's Vision and the World of Adolescent Tragedy" (1998). Masters Theses. 1735. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1735 This is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses & Publications at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Author's Signature Date I respectfully request Booth Library of Eastern Illinois University NOT allow my thesis to be reproduced because: Author's Signature Date thesis4.form Beyond the Problem Novel: Robert Cormier's Vision and the World of Adolescent Tragedy (TITLE) BY Erik M. Walker THESIS SUBMITIED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Arts in English IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS 1998 YEAR I HEREBY RECOMMEND THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DECREE CITED ABOVE 12/16/98 DATE '}(OVISER 12/16/98 DATE DEPARTMEN#l'EAO i Abstract Robert Cormier is "the premier writer for adolescents in the United States" according to The Handbook of American Popular Literature and dozens of literary critics. Although his novels have won numerous awards from the American Library Association (A1A), his novels have also generated controversy from critics who believe his novels are excessively dark and disturbing. Adolescents in Robert Cormier's world are by no means the average teenagers one may expect to find at a local high school. Instead, the adolescent world is shown to be more complex and dangerous, where evil preys on the good, where loneliness and isolation are not occasional occurrences but commonplace, and where anyone who dares to be different is doomed to failure. Cormier's fiction suggests a nihilistic view of society and also implies a dystopia, with almost every present force (government, schools, and religion) mounting together to crush caring individuals. Cormier shows even those who are in power and control (antagonists) find no more happiness than their victims. While Cormier's adolescent novels (which include The Chocolate War, I am the Cheese, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Beyond the Chocolate War, We All Fall Down, Tunes for Bears to Dance to, In the Middle of the Ni2ht, and Tenderness) belong to the "problem novel" sub-genre of realistic fiction, they also philosophically differ from the typical problem novel, as represented by such writers as Avi, Judy Blume, Glendon Swarthout, and Paul Zindel. It helps to understand Cormier's fiction by placing it in the context of naturalism, which emphasizes the impotence of individuals because ii of forces within nature and society. Cormier's vision of adolescents is unusual within the context of adolescent literature because it seems to undermine the concept of the individual, showing adolescents as unable to escape from the problems that encompass them, in part because the problems are difficult, but mainly because the culture of adolescents in conjunction with adult culture ultimately punishes those who attempt to be different, unique, or (especially) good. Cormier's world is one devoid of hope, which contradicts the setting of most problem novels. Additionally, Cormier's novels undermine a common theme in adolescent literature, the "rite of passage" that develops teens into adults. Instead of treating adolescence as a rite of passage, Cormier shows it to be a period where no transition is needed or can occur since both adults and teenagers are shown to be equally brutal to people who wish to be good or independent. Finally, Cormier's intense focus on characterization makes him unique from most problem novel authors, which usually focus on the "problems" instead of the characters or relationships. Cormier seems to hint that the problems that surround his characters are arbitrary, and most of the actual harm (both physical and psychological) that occurs to adolescents who try to be different from their peers come from the majority of seemingly ordinary adolescents who are shown to be brutal to anyone who wishes or dares to be different. Thus, I conclude that Cormier exposes the dark side of human nature, and his vision of the adolescent world is one where evil triumphs over good and where individuals who dare disturb the universe are crushed. ClhankB to 1111( theglg dltzecto'l, 'l)'l. ;John 'l)a.t1ld /}t.ootze a.nd '111( theglg 'Zea.detzB, 'l)tz. ~e'ln Kotzl( & 'l)'l. ;John Kll5otze a.nd '111( Sth CJtza.de 2n5liBh tea.che'l, /fh. Cled cl-loBB, ""ho lnttzoduced »te to 'R.o6ett.t Cott.miett.'B ~ictlon find a. Bpecla.l tha.nkB to /}t.o»t & 'l)a.d, /hichael, a.nd /flollv. 1 Beyond the Problem Novel: Robert Cormier's Vision and the World of Adolescent Tragedy Near the conclusion of Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War, the protagonist is severely injured in a brutal attack orchestrated by his peers, and he whispers, ttDon 't disturb the universe. Othexwise, they'll murder you" ( 187). This is not just figurative language, however; not a metaphor or an hyperbole. Adolescents in Robert Cormier's world are by no means the average teenagers one may expect to find at a local high school Instead, the adolescent world is shown to be more complex and dangerous, a place where evil preys on the good, where loneliness and isolation are not occasional occurrences but commonplace, and where anyone who dares to be different is doomed. Robert Cormier's characters are physically and psychologically plagued by problems and difficulties, all as a result of being individuals. Only in Robert Cormier's world can an adolescent who chooses to be different meet endless defeats. Only in Cormier's world can society become a dystopia, with almost every present force mounting together to crush caring individuals and even those in power shown to be utterly unhappy. And only in Cormier's society can an evil serial killer be shown as less sinister and more successful than a good adolescent who chooses to make an individual decision. 2 It is probable that Cormier's choice to write about grim events is linked with his career before being an author. Cormier is first and foremost a journalist. Robert Cormier was born and raised in Massachusetts and chooses to set most of his novels in the same state. He began his journalism career at WfAG Radio in Worcester, Massachusetts, before finding his first newspaper job. In 1948, Cormier was hired as a member of the night staff of the Leomister bureau of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Seven years later, he was hired by the Fitchburg Sentinel, working as a reporter before becoming a wire editor (Campbell 21). It is likely Cormier was exposed to many of the current tragedies in the news while he read the Associated Press (AP) wire each evening. Yet, the award winning newspaper journalist Robert Cormier, who dedicated thirty years to reporting and editing for small-town Massachusetts papers, is quite different than novelist Robert Cormier. While most of his newspaper writing focused on human interest news stories and columns, the novels are significantly darker. A Cormier biographer, Patricia J. Campbell, comments, "Some have observed that there seems to be almost a schizophrenic split in his vision of the world. He himself has acknowledged this duality" (35). Cormier has written novels since 1960 and written novels for adolescents since 1974, when The Chocolate war was published In the past twenty-four years his vision of adolescence has been highly respected. The Handbook of American PQPular Literature notes "Robert Cormier is the premier writer for adolescents in the United States" (Nilsen 360). Several of his novels have received the 3 distinction of being AIA Best Books for Young Adults, an award given by the American Library Association to quality novels written for young people. His novel The Chocolate War won multiple awards, including recognition as an AlA Notable Children Book, a Best of the Best Book for Young Adults award, a School library Journal Best Book of the Year award,. and a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year honor. The Bumblebee Flies Anyway and In the Middle of the Ni~ht both received the AIA. Best Book for Young Adults distinction. In published interviews, Cormier sounds like he would write novels where good triumphs over evil. He admits that I cry at sad novels, long for happy endings, delight in atrocious puns, pause to gather branches of bittersweet at the side of a highway. I am shamelessly sentimental-­ I always make a wish when I blow out the candles of my birthday cake, and I dread the day when there may be no one there to say 'Bless you' when I sneeze...