“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
--Ambrose Redmoon
In The Chocolate War, Jerry is given an assignment by the Vigils, the not-so-secret society at his school. Although he is given a choice to accept the assignment, he is not really able to refuse. Or is he? Can Jerry refuse to do the assignment given to him? In your experiences as a high school student, can students refuse to do things when told by a group? Is peer pressure so great that students feel that they have no other choice? Jerry is not selling chocolates because the Vigils told him not to. Is negative peer pressure such a big issue for students?
Your assignment is to respond to the above prompt. You must write a well developed paragraph consisting of at least 10 sentences. Please make sure that you use correct grammar, proper punctuation, and common sense in your response. Once you write your response, you must respond to at least two classmates. Make sure that you include your first name and last initial in your posting and that you tell which classmate you are responding to. If your posting is deemed to be inappropriate, it will be removed, and you will not receive credit.
My personal opinion is that he can refuse the offer. No one can make a decesion for you. I understand that peer pressure is hard to resist, especially in a big group, however it is important to always do what you think is the right thing to do. Resisting peer pressure is never easy because you want to be accepted. On the other hand standing up for what you believe in should be the easiest thing you'll ever do, but it isn't always so easy. If i were Jerry, i would not do the vigil's assignment. I would stand my ground. Jerry should be his own person instead of follwing a crowd. Decesions you make will follow you, I don't want to follow someone else's wrong choice. Someone else might feel differently, but I am independent and will always stand up for what I believe.
ReplyDeleteAnna S.
peer pressure plays a big part in every students life. in this part of the book when jerry is given an assignment and is told to do it or he will be black mailed. as my experience as a high school student peer presure is a major part in school. this is because when someone tells someone to do somthing they go along with it because they threaten them with somthing. in jerry's case he is being pressured into doing somthing for the vigils that he really does not want to do. somtimes you may not have a coice but to do what the person tells you to do.
ReplyDeleteShane.w
In my opinion I think that jerry is able to refuse the assignment. I dont think that no one should be peer pressured to do something that they dont want to do. I know sometimes it will be hard to refuse things if your told by a group but always stand your ground and stand up for what you believe in. If i was in Jerrys' position i would not do listen to the vigil's. If I like doing something and someone dont support what i do then they will have to learn how to respect what I do. I think that negative peer pressure is a big issue for students. In this case it would probably stop jerry from doing what he likes to do. Peer pressure is hard to resist at times. It can also affect other people around them by having a negative attitude. Always do what you want to do, not what someone else wants you to do.
ReplyDeleteCris G.
I think he should be able to refuse the assignment because no kind of pressure, even the pressure given by peers is greater than doing the right thing. It takes an effort to go with the flow but it takes an even greater effort to stand alone against a group. By my "high school experience" I have seen students go against all odds and never gave in to pressure. Then again, on the other hand I have seen people give in easily because they think they have no other option. Peer pressure is just another word for bullying. If Jerry is getting pressure from his peers he should go to the headmaster or the assistant headmaster and report the issue immediately. The Vigils have no control over anything Jerry does, it’s his decision. Whether Jerry’s decision is the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do, it’s still his choice. Negative peer pressure affects the student a lot, especially if they think there is a punishment for them if they do not comply. Jerry needs to tell someone about the “secret” group and what they make students believe they should do. That’s just my personal opinion though, feel free to tell me whether you agree or not!
ReplyDeleteKrisstall B
Ms. Cris Guiterrez, i agree with you. Everyone has the right to do what they like to do.
ReplyDeleteMr. Shane Williams, i do not agree with you because no matter what someone threatens you with you can always refuse.
Anna S.
I feel that if Jerry does not want to do the assignment he don't have to. Even though there is a consequense to his behavior towards not doing his work. I think that he should do the assignment so that he can have a good grade in the class, but it's choice. If Jerry dont do the assignment he will be punished in atleast 3 ways. The first reason would be that he is not showing respect to an adult so karma will fall on him. The second reason is that he might fail that class if he don't get his act together. The third reason is that he will be written up. Me , myself as a student of Griffin High i have experianced not to do my work and failing a class and having to retake a class. Retaking a class is really boring having to listen to the teacher talk about the same stuff you learned last year but you didn't want to do your work . Take my advice and do your work .
ReplyDelete- Shamaria Wellmaker
Anna S. i agree with you because you should stand up for what you want so you go girl.
ReplyDeletecris G. i also agree with what you are saying to because you always have a choice to do somthing and should always stand your ground.
Shane w.
From my opinion i do not think Jerry really has a choice in doing the assignment. A teacher can give you an assignment but your expected to do it. If the assignment is not done then there will be consequences for not doin as told. Yes you can refuse to do an assignment but most of the time thats not a good choice to make, and the results of that choice does not ever end well. Peer pressure can be a great deal to why students choose to do or not to do what they are told. Jerry could have been scared of the Vigils when they told him not to do the assignment, which is a great deal of peer pressure. As a student in high school i think he should do the assignment. If i was told to do the assignment by my teacher, i would either have to do it or get a zero. There are also times when students get wrote up for refusing to do as told. Grades are very important to me and the things Jerry is doing because of peer pressure or whatever, is really crazy. If it was me i would do the assignment and not worry about peer pressure because school is very important.
ReplyDeleteZhanndi Driver
Mr. Shane Willliams, I strongly agree with your answer. But I think that sometimes you probably wont have another choice but to do what you are told.
ReplyDeleteNegative peer pressure is not good in any situation. Him choosing to not sell the chocolates just because he was told not to was not right, if he wanted to sell the chocolates he should have. I don't believe it is right for anyone to tell people what to do unless they're doing something they know is not supposed to be done. It is unnecessary and not nice to tell people they can not do something they were looking forward to doing or wanted to do. Bossing people around is not good, it only makes people feel weak. If you tell someone what to do and make them feel bad then they could do something bad or hurt themselves. Then you will feel bad about yourself. I believe telling people what to do is wrong and can cause a lot of problems with others. Remember to always be nice and don't treat others bad. This is my opinion on bossing people around. -Caitlin B.
ReplyDeletei dont think students can not do whats asked by a teacher or a group because the teacher is here helping us and tryin to get us where they are. if we do not do whats asked in a group there will be consequences sucha s detention,write up, or suspension, and i dont think students want any of that for just not following simple directions. when i myself refused to do something i got suspended becuse ii first refused to do what i was told and i talked back to my teacher or whoever my instructor was. i dont think peer pressusre is good at all because sometime speople wants you to do unecessary things or stupuid things that will get yuou in a lot of trouble and sometimes peer pressure can cause death and etc. yes negative peer pressure is bad for students because some students wasnt to fit in and they think if they dont do this or do that they want be popular or they want fit it in or they want have the friends they want. i think some giorls shouldnt go by peer pressure because now and days little girls do any and everything to fit in and its not cute or lady like. i dont think no one should be pure pressured to do anything they dont want to do . no one cam make you do something you dont want to do. there may be persoanl reasons behind there choice. if jerry is getting pressures i think he should go talk to someone because whoever is pressuring him can get in trouble for cyber bullying or maybe go to jail because cyber bullying is now a law.
ReplyDeleteKeke Berry
I agree , no one should be peer pressured to do anything that they don't want to do .
ReplyDelete- Shamaria Wellmaker
Cris.....I agree with you. I dont think that no one should be peer pressured.
ReplyDeleteShane. Everyone has a coice.
I agree with Anna S. and Cris G.because peer pressure is not good and i don't think any one should be peer pressured. And yes you should always stand your ground and stand up for what you believe even if no one agrees with you.
ReplyDeleteZhanndi Driver
Keke i do not agree with what you are saying about the student doing his work if he dont want to do it then he do not because it's his choice . I do think that he should do it , but if he don't want to it's his choice .
ReplyDelete- Shamaria Wellmaker
i agree with cris g. if someone had me under peer pressure i would be the same way.
ReplyDeletei aree with keke berry on some of the things that she put.
Ever since i was in elementary school i have been a victim of peer pressure. Each year only gets more intense to deal with. Most kids participate in what others persuade them to do because they want to fit in. Although what the other person is trying to get you to do maybe bad , fitting in mostly out ways the consequences. Everyone wants to feel a sense of want and some do anything for that feeling. Jerry could decline and go ahead with selling the chocolates. No one is actaully forcing him not to , but its all going back to the feeling of want. Jerry should learn how to become his own indivisual. He needs to stay away from people who hinder his character with negative consequences. He should be around people who help him be successful.
ReplyDelete- Breanna H.
Senorita Anna, I agree with what you say. I think that everyone should stand up for what they believe in and always do what they want to do and not what someone else tells them to do.
ReplyDeleteMr. Shane Willliams, I strongly agree with your answer. But I think that sometimes you probably wont have another choice but to do what you are told.
Cris G.
I agree with Anna S. because peer pressure is not good and i don't think any one should be peer pressured.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion he can refused if he thinks he really want to do it or not. As a high school student you have to make your own decitions. No body can tell you what you can or cannot do. I think he can refuse if he wants to if not he dont have to. If you not conffident with something you doing you can stop doing it. Samething if you really like doing something and you are not doing it,I thing you should start doing what you really like. If charlie is not selling chocolates just because the Vigils told him not to, I do not think thats a reason to stop. In high school I know Its hard to get all peolpe to like you. But not all people are going to like you, some people not going to like you and some are. As teenagers thats what worry us. But in my opinio true friends are going to be there for you for how you are not for what you do.
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that students will try and decide what ever they want to do. Dont get me wrong if a teacher gives something to do, the automatic thing to do is follow the directions givin. Yet, the students that dont do work will obviously not do it. Peer pressure can take a tole on anybody. Peer pressure is basically someone doing things some one else said to do just to fit in. Teens and others sometimes feel afraid to be them selves and make there own choices. Most of the time peer pressure results into bad situations. People can still be pressured into doing something evern if they know its wrong. Directions from a teacher and being peer pressured are way two different ''ball fields''. All in all, even between a teacher's orders or your peers, its up to you to make the right decision!! -Jha'mecia Miller.!(=
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cris G. Because you should always stand your ground and stand up for what you believe even if no one agrees with you.
ReplyDeleteAs a high school student my opinion is that every one can refuse to do stuffs told by a group. We have two choices, to say "yes" or "no" it depends on the situation. For example peer pressure, that's something you have to think two times before doing it. "Peer pressure", just because you want to feel popular or you want others to talk to you and have friends doesn't mean you have to do something you don't feel like doing. Always do what is right, and keep in mind that every thing you do in life has their consequences. What if you want to do something you really want, but your friends tell you not to do it, how would you feel?. Every time my friends tell me to do something i don't want to do, i think about consequences. So think about that and how you are going to affect yourself, or even affect others. Don't do thing others tells you to do, do what you feel its right. This is my opinion.
ReplyDeleteyes i think Jerry has a decission on wheather to do the work or not. If i was under peer pressure i would feel the same way. i have been in that boat before but i went ahead&did it just because of the grades she told me i would get. jerry just do the assignment,its not going to hurt anything. but if you dont do it,it will kill your grade. just let the teacher help you out,so you can understand it the next time you do it. peer pressure is not a agood thing to be under. when your in high school&you try to start passing at the end of the semester your going to be in trouble. in high school if you fail a class that whole semester you can retake it. but its best to pass the first time. so you want have to do summer school,or credit recoery. jerry just do your work so you can past.
ReplyDelete-Monique Chapman
I think Jerry will finally forgot about the chocolats, but because the story is about a 'chocolate war' it will take a litle big longger for him to make a final desicion, the popularity you could have will be esay to maintain on if you just act like you are, the conflict of the sotry is not just about a chocolate war, but is also an internal war, the point of the book is not justfind on its pages but also in the real life, some of the teenagers had commited mistakes doing what they don't feel they suppose to do. The wohole story teach us a lesson about real and not real friends. We also learned peer presure and how others can take over our decisions.
ReplyDeleteWhy should students be obligated to do something their teacher told them? I mean, if we asked the teacher to do something most likely they won't. And then to be told to do something without any options is out of the question. So, i don't think Jerry should have to do the thing he was told to do. HE should have a choice, just like any other person.I think you should always stand up for what you believe in. If there are consequences to not doing the action, then so be it. With you making the choice to be defiant, you have to be ready to take full responsibilities for your actions. If you would like to avoid that, then do as you're told. But, I would stick to what I believe in.
ReplyDeleteJ. Jordan
# their; even(= - Jha'mecia M.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletei agree with paula mora, she is saying the true, and i think her opinion is true.
ReplyDeleterebeca hernandez, is talking about the way we react and what we do to have friends at school and i think her opinion it's true
ReplyDeletei agree with j.jordan,cause they no they want do it if we ask,.
ReplyDelete-Monique chapman
I agree with Yolanda Gallejos because I think She is saying all the ture. I Rellly like her opinion.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right with what you are saying Yolanda, your point is the same as main, I really don't think somebody will find truly friends if they don't act like they are.
ReplyDeleteIf I was Jerry I would do the assignment. In high school its hard to make up credits and it takes a lot of time out of other things you can be doing. I would even most likely do the assignment if I did not really want to. I also would not pay the peer pressure of the Vigils any attention because school is important and you really can't do anything with out an education. I'm a Sophomore in high school and it is hard but if you stay focused and not worry about others and the peer pressure then you will be good. Peer pressure is one of those things that I do not take kindly because i hate being pressured into doing things. If I am going to do something then i do it because i like it or for my grade not because of peer pressure. Peer pressure is just another way of bullying someone. Grades are important and education should always come first. Unless you are passing a class well enough to decide you do not want to do an assignment i suggest you do it.
ReplyDeleteZhanndi Driver
Monique Chapman- I agree with you because your education is whats going to get you somewhere in life. Thats your main way out in the world.
ReplyDeleteZhanndi Driver
Zalan Richards
ReplyDelete7th Period
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I have always had an idea of doing something in the criminal justice field. The thing I like about being an investigator is that you can be hands on. I am a hand on person who can comprehend by seeing. This job is perfect for me because I don’t like finish a task. Being an investigator you will solve cases and get to the bottom of crime.
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