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Novel Study
Name: Shani Chellingworth
Novel: The Wave Author: Morton Rhue Class: 9 English Teacher: Ms Tranter Novel Study Your name: Shani Chellingworth Essential information
Title: The Wave Author: Morton Rhue Genre of book: Teenage Fiction General subject matter: A history experiment of world war 2 with a class Year published: 1981 Getting Started
1. Read the blurb and create a brainstorm of ideas about the novel before you read it. A girl named Laurie Saunders who is studying history Their history teacher creates an experiment for their World War 2 studies. Her class mates begin to chant salute fanatic the wave The wave is sweeping through the school and its getting bigger and out of control Her friends decline her warnings even her boyfriend As the wave gets bigger she is the only person to stop it.
2. Look at the front cover do the images, colour or symbols on the cover give you any ideas about the novel? The image give me the idea of a protest, war with the flags and shock with the students The colour creates an older and more death type of feel
3. Write down anything you already know about the Nazis during World War II. Do a quick Google search to add to your ideas. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are common names for Germany during the period from 1933 to 1945, when its government was controlled by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), commonly known as the Nazi Party. Under Hitler's rule, Germany was transformed into a fascist totalitarian state which controlled nearly all aspects of life. Nazi Germany ceased to exist after the Allied Forces defeated Germany in May 1945, ending World War II in Europe.
Setting Describe the setting. Find quotes and examples from the novel that help you realise where events are set.
Character summary Describe each of the main characters in the novel. Include information on each characters appearance, personality and relationships with other characters. Ensure you use quotes from the novel. Add as many rows to this table as you need for the characters in the novel. Atmosphere The atmosphere of this novel is setting the normality of an average high school with certain cliques. The classroom in the beginning the book is more relaxed and calm Further on in the book the atmosphere is more controlled, and sometimes lonely Time Period the time period of this novel is around 1981, as on the first page they begin with setting the scene and the explain there are typewriters Place The novel is set at a state high school in California called Gordon state high, outlining a history class.
Character Description (personality, relationships, attitudes, values, beliefs) Laurie Saunders
Personality: hardworking, curious,
Relationships: Laurie had a close relationship with her parent and especially her mother. She also a relationship with David who is her boyfriend. Laurie is best friends with Amy smith
Attitudes, values and beliefs: everyone should be free, values school work, she is happy, hard working and persistent
Ben Ross
Personality: Ben is hardworking, dedicated, committed, enthusiastic about his job, obsessive, passionate
Relationships: He builds up a relationship with his students when they create the wave. The
Attitudes, values and beliefs: Believes in strength through discipline, strength through community, and strength through actions
David Personality: laid back, committed and dedicated to his football
Relationships: David has many friends from the football team, strong relationship with Lauries father, Lauries boyfriend.
Attitudes, values and beliefs: to win a football game, have the football team work together, has a positive attitude for ben rosses idea, spread the wave, recruit new members.
Amy Smith A petite girl with thick, curly, goldilocks hair page 2 Personality: competitive
Relationships: best friends with Laurie
Attitudes, values and beliefs: Always trying to be better than Laurie
Christy Ross Personality: competitive, patient, understanding
Relationships: Bens wife, teaches music
Attitudes, values and beliefs: values tennis and music
David Collins A tall good looking boy page 7 Personality: Hungry, impatient, smart,
Relationships: in a relationship with Laurie Saunders, Friends on the football team, friends with Mr Ross
Attitudes, values and beliefs: values football and wiining, believes that the wave is the best thing
Robert Billings Personality: not very smart, doesnt care if he failes,
Relationships: in the beginning of the book he is called the class loser and I always picked on, further on in the book he is considered on of them because he is apart of the wave and everyone is equal
Attitudes, values and beliefs: he has a bad attitude towards school, and he really wants to fit in at chool
Plot summary and narrative style Give a brief outline of the events in the novel. Describe the type of narration used in the novel. Add as many rows to this table as you need for the chapters in the novel. Chapter Summary (2 3 dot points about what occurs in this chapter) Parallels with historical events 1 o Laurie Saunders is in her publication office for the Grapevine chewing on pens. o Laurie pulls faces at her friend Amy through the window whilst she is in French; Mr Gabondi sees her and gets mad. o They have their first lesson of history o Characters are introduced o Ben Ross (history teacher) goes over the grades for homework and a lecture is given
2 o The class is studying World War 2 and they watched a video on the Hitler and the Nazis. o The class discuss the film as many are horrified by the gruesomeness of the film
3 o Amy and Laurie are upset by the film o Amy and laurie go the grapevine office
4 o Ben was bothered about how he couldnt answer all the questions adequately
o He gets caught up reading a heap of books that might help him answer the questions 5 o The students walk into the classroom and see the words Strength through discipline written on the board. o They were all confused at what it meant o Ben explained how hitler came to power o They are told to sit properly in there chairs o Activities take place to show the students discipline o Christy was surprised with the effect it had on the students o The Nazis had to learn disciple and so did german citizens
6 o Ben was surprised when his student were all at class early o They sat with a perfect posture and silently in their chair waiting for mr ross o They learnt strength through community o The power was amaxing o The discovered a salute o David decided to try the wave on the football team o The football team agree
o The germans and Hitler get addicted to the power 7 o Laurie tells her parents about the wave o Her dad is ok but her mother doesnt like it o Ben is still preoccupied by the classes he has to prepare for o Christy is concerned aswell o Not everyone agreed with hitler 8 o David and laurie walk to school together o David gets a bit annoyed at lauries mother for the way she was talking about the wave o Ben hands out membership cards o They learn about strength through action
9 o Ben was unsure of what to make of the wave as it had spread out side the classroom o There had been a success in
recruiting new students o Other student were cutting class to join his o The class insisted practicing o The class wasnt falling behind o The class were covering topics faster than usual o They were improving o The wave was successfully infused into the foot ball team o Football coach was thankful to ben o Ben was proud to think he had broken down the popularity contests and cliques o Students liked the discipline o Ben thinks maybe the experiment was a maistake and it might gat out of control o Laurie is struggling to find new stories for the grapevine o She avoided the subject of the wave at home o Lauries mother tells of how she is concerned that she ran in to roberts mother and said that Robert has completely changed o The football team is convinced they will win
10 o Ben was called the principals office o Student are constantly giving him the salute o He never expected the wave to go this far o
11 A note is put in the Publication room to tell of the new article Displays of The Wave are being displayed around the school Robert becomes Bens bodyguard 12 Brian and Deutsch fighting locker hall David and Laurie argue 13 At football game Brian gives Laurie the salute but Laurie doesnt do it back Talking about the Jewish boy that got beat up 14 Laurie makes the article about The Wave and construction Amy and Laurie argue Ben thinks its his fault for the destruction of The Wave Robert wants David to take care of Laurie 15 Laurie publishes an article about The Wave which the members dont like. David hurts Laurie but makes up with her and turns against The Wave Ben looks back on why he started The Wave 16 Principal Owen wants Ben to stop The Wave Ben explains history about the United States and how much has changed David and Laurie think Ben lied to them about stopping The Wave 17 The rally in the auditorium starts Convince that there is no leader but if there were, it would be Adolf Hitler Tries to be helpful to Robert after the pain he put Robert through
Themes What are the central ideas or messages in this novel? Think about the problems the main characters face. How do these characters change and what do they learn because of these problems? What can you learn from this novel? Theme Ideas Explored Evidence from novel Education How power can be addicting. Stay true to herself
Cant you see what hes doing? Laurie said emotionally. Cant any of you think for yourself anymore? Pg. 132 Theyre true. Amy, the wave has become an obsession with everyone. No one Is thinking for themselves anymore. Pg.105 Ben began to realize how much more serious this little experiment was then hed ever imagined. Ben thought this was something he must make sure they learned: to question thoroughly, never to put your faith in anyones hands blindly Pg. 141
1. Would you like to have Ben Ross for a teacher? Why or why not? Yes, because he makes class fun, and because if people knew that you were in Mr Ross class, they would assume that you were a part of the wave, even if you actually did not like the idea (like Laurie). So you did not get bashed up 2. Do you think Ben's experiment was good for his students? What, if anything, do you think they learned? And what did Ben learn? Ben learned that power can be addictive, and the students learnt that you need to stay true to yourself. Ben Ross experiment was fine, until it got out of control Power Power can be addicting Not all power corrupts- you just have to be careful. Abuse through power Exposing the kids to a dangerous experiment Not all power is negative, Laurie uses her power a positive way
You traded your freedom for what you said was equality into superiority over non-wave members. Pg.143 They condemned the Wave as a dangerous and mindless movement that suppressed freedom of speech and thought and ran against everything the country was founded on. Pg.104 3. Why do Ben's students give him power? Why do they trust him and follow him so blindly? Because they are caught in the trance, they like the idea of equality, they like Ben Ross as a teacher and trust them. 4. Why does Robert feel powerless at school? Because he is not as good as his brother or other students 5. Why does David think The Wave will give the football team more power? Does it? Because he thought that the discipline could really change something History To ensure that we dont make the same mistakes Shows us how it might be relevant to our life Staying true yourself, making your own decisions, not to follow blindly.
The Nazis were highly organized and feared. The behaviour of the rest of the German population is a mystery- why they didnt try to stop it, how they could say they didnt know. We just dont know the answers. Pg.13 There is no National Wave Youth Movement. There is no leader. But if there was he would have been it. Do you see what you have become? Do you see where you were headed? How far would you have gone? Take a look at the future! Pg.142 You say it could never happen again, but look how close you camePg.143 6. Will this experience of being part of The Wave become an important part of these students' lives? Will they remember these eight days and think about them in the future? And will they learn from their mistakes? Yes, these students will remember The Wave and learn from their mistakes, just like the Germans did in 1934-1945. Loyalty The wave members gave up their individuality in order to participate in the wave. In the process they betray those they care about: Laurie Saunders' best friend and boyfriend both If History repeats itself, you will all want to deny what happened to you in the wave. But If our experiment has been successful- and I think you can see that it has- you will have learned that we are all responsible for our turn against her when she questions The Wave. This novel also asks us to strongly question our leaders, and begs us not to follow them blindly.
own actions, and that you must always question, what you do rather than blindly follow a leader. Pg.143 7. Is Ben Ross loyal to his students? His wife? His school? No, because he doesnt listen to his wife, or take her advice and he turns the school into a school known for the Wave. He takes controls all the students and nearly brought back Hitlers holocaust, making him untrustworthy and unreliable 8. Why are Ben's students so loyal to him? If a different teacher had tried this experiment, would it have gone this far? Or did students follow Ben because they already felt some sense of loyalty toward him? They followed Ben because they were already loyal to him and they thought the Wave was doing something good for them, when really it was out of control and un practically stupid. 9. What does this book have to say about being loyal to one's self? Is that more important than staying loyal to friends, family, or community? Everybody needs to be independent because they wont always be with their friends, and family. You should not do what others want you to do; you need to do what you want to do. Identity The students undergo drastic changes in their identity. Staying true to one's identity leads to bullying and threats from other students. And in the real world, this can lead to devastating consequences.
David goes from devoted boyfriend to Jerk- store bully (and back again!) and Robert goes from total outcast to leader of the pack.
10. Which characters in The Wave undergo the most drastic identity changes? Are these permanent changes or just temporary bouts of insani ahem, confusion? David- Becomes a Jerk and bully to Laurie and others, he does not stay like this though, he wakes up to himself and helps Laurie end the Wave. Amy- Betrays Laurie and loses their friendship Robert- Becomes the leader of the pack until the Wave ends, than he is a outcast again Mr Ross- He becomes in love with power and a different teacher Basically all the students- Become brain washed, and identity changes 11. Why do you think Robert creates the position of bodyguard for himself? How does that affect his identity? He feels important and needed. 12. What happens to Ben when he becomes Wave leader? Does he truly change as a person? Ben does not fully change as the Wave leader he just becomes obsessed with power and happy to be controlling, until Laurie and David talk some sense into him. 13. Why is Laurie able to stay true to herself in the face of The Wave? What about the other characters who do so? All the Characters that stay true to themselves including Laurie can see the true face of the Wave not like the other Wave members who are looking all wrong. Violence while the students are studying the violence of the past. Wave members resort to bullying and stalking when their "movement" is threatened. And since bullying and teen violence are not a thing of the past, we think they're worth talking about.
David grabbed her other arm, why did she have to be so stubborn? Why couldnt she see how good the Wave could be? We can stop you, and we will! he shouted at her. I hate you! she cried I hate The Wave! I hate all of you! The words struck David like a hard slap in the face. Almost out of control, he screamed shut up! and threw her down on the grass. Her books flying as she fell roughly to the ground. David instantly recoiled in shock, at what he had done. In fear he dropped to his knees and put his arm around her. Jeez, Laurie, are you all right? He feel her tremble and he wondered what on earth he could have done something so stupid. Pg.89-90 14. Why do the students in The Wave think it's okay to use violence to make The Wave a success? Students think that it is ok to use violence during the Wave because in the past the Nazis used violence all the time, and no one is standing up to the violence, everyone is just letting people be violent or not believing in what other students say about how people are being bullied. Not even the teachers try to stop the violence. 15. Can we ever forgive David for physically assaulting Laurie? And what are we supposed to make of the "scuffle" that causes such a stir? We should forgive david for physically assaulting Laurie, because he did it under The Waves command and it made David see what the wave has become of him. David doesnt actually get that violent. 16. Is Ben's experiment a form of psychological violence? Could it have done lasting damage to his students? What do you think? If a friend or girlfriend was violent to the other friend or boyfriend or vis-versa, they could permanently damage the relationship they had, Just like how Laurie and Amy had a fight and David physically assaulted Laurie. Competition Competition for grades and popularity leads to big pressure. In fact, the novel suggests that students are open to The Wave because the see it as a relief from the competitive atmosphere of school. I think that after the Wave there will be no competition between students. Because it means that nobody is better than anyone else for once Amy said. Because ever since we became friends all Ive ever done is try to compete with you and keep up with you. But now I dont feel like I have to have a boyfriend on the football team like you. And if I dont have to, I dont have to get the same grades you get. For the first time in 3 years I feel like I dont have to keep up with Laurie Saunders and people will still like me. Pg. 79-80 17. Why are other students so jealous of Laurie? Why aren't they happy with their own accomplishments? Why do they need to compare themselves with her? Because she is the popular kid who is the editor of the Grapevine and has a boyfriend on the football team. 18. Why does Brian think The Wave will help the football team win games? Because the discipline helped the class be more obedient in class and learn quicker 19. Wave members claim that the Wave freed them from the pressure of competing. Do you ever feel like there is too much competition in your life? If so, does The Wave offer any advice for dealing with competitive atmospheres? There is no competition in my life, I love all my friends and I am aware that my friends are smarter than me and non- of them have boyfriends so I am not really jealous. I dont compete with my family. The only thing that I compete with is my crushes girlfriends (or people he like) and waking up in the morning. Besides that I am a happy chappie. 20. Is Laurie a competitive person? What drives her success? Laurie is not a competitive person, because she is not competing with anyone people are competing with her. Courage, persistence and Popular, friends and her boyfriend drive her too success.
Glossary of New Words Add as many rows as you need to this table to help you learn new vocabulary from the novel. New Word Definition Reich (with reference to Germany) empire; realm; nation.
the German state, especially during the Nazi period.
Dictator a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force. Fanatic a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause. Cult a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. Fascist an advocate or follower of fascism. Dominate have power and influence over. Superior higher in rank, status, or quality. Inferior
lower in rank, status, or quality. Indoctrinate
teach (a person or group) to accept a set of beliefs uncritically. Discipline
the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience. Holocaust
destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war. Propaganda