Robert Cormier has voiced his appreciation for detective stories, noting that they "always deliver a beginning, middle, and end, a satisfying climax or epiphany." The ending of The Chocolate War is certainly climactic, yet it defies traditional expectations. We often anticipate a classic showdown where the hero might get hurt but eventually prevails. However, this is upended by the bizarre circumstances under which Jerry and Emile must fight in the final scene. They are compelled to take turns throwing punches as dictated by the crowd. These orchestrated rules temporarily suppress their natural instincts, but once they are unleashed, Jerry faces a harsh defeat.

The sudden fall of the protagonist and the collapse of his core belief in individuality and defying the status quo, along with the unclear nature of Jerry's exit (leaving readers unsure of how severe his injuries are), result in a grim conclusion. Some critics of children's literature have argued that this ending implies the triumph of evil. When viewed literally, the climax of The Chocolate War, along with the conclusions of many other novels by Cormier, can indeed support this criticism.