The Wave

The next day, Ben is the only one late to class. He finds the students in orderly rows with perfect posture. Robert tells him they’re practicing discipline. Ben writes “COMMUNITY” (42) on the board under yesterday’s message. He encourages them to think of themselves as a team and a unit before giving them two mottos: “Strength through discipline” and “Strength through community” (42). A few students, including Laurie and Brad, remain seated but eventually stand with the class to chant the mottos.

Ben produces a symbol for them: a circle with a wave inside. He says, “A wave is a pattern of change. It has movement, direction, and impact. From now on, our community, our movement, will be known as The Wave” (43). He demonstrates a wave-shaped salute, and they repeat it until he’s satisfied. Ben instructs them to salute other Wave members whenever they see each other. Robert demonstrates the salute and the mottos. Soon, the whole class joins, and they remind Ben of a regiment.

Outside, David says The Wave might be what the football team needs. Brian thinks it’s worth trying, especially if a new standard of discipline and strength will stop their opponents’ huge linebacker. Deutsch, a second-string junior, wants Brian’s position. Half-joking, he says he’ll take his place in the game if he’s scared. David separates them when the argument escalates. He thinks the team is missing unity and discipline, and that it hasn’t been winning because “we’re twenty-five one-man teams all wearing the same Gordon High uniforms” (47). David decides to tell them about The Wave. He begins explaining the mottos and the salute.

Laurie tells her parents about the two days of history classes. Her father is a meek golf obsessive who rarely speaks about anything else and defers to his wife on most matters. Laurie’s mother, Mrs. Saunders, has a large role in the League of Women Voters. Politicians often consult with her because she’s brilliant, insightful, and it’s impossible to hide anything from her. She says the class sounds too militaristic, and Laurie’s enthusiasm worries her.

When Mr. Saunders says that the country is founded on cooperation, Mrs. Saunders retorts, “You talk about the greatness of this country and you’re talking about people who aren’t afraid to act as individuals” (50). Then she tells Laurie, “The popular thing is not always the right thing” (51).

At home, Ben updates Christy on his class. Some students have actually been reading ahead in their coursework. He thinks they like having someone make their decisions. However, The Wave is starting to bother Christy. She thinks Ben speaks about his students as if they’re superior to the other students. She wonders if he’s becoming a guinea pig in his experiment.

Laurie is concerned when David tells her about integrating The Wave in the football team. She says her mother warns of brainwashing and manipulation. In class, a blue poster with The Wave symbol is on the wall. Ben passes out yellow cards that he says are Wave membership cards. Cards marked with a red X indicate that the holder is a monitor. Monitors must report rulebreakers to him. Robert and Brian have X’s on their cards. When Laurie asks what the point of the cards is, Ben says it’s a chance to observe how groups can self-monitor. He then says they must add action to their discipline, and they shout their approval.

Laurie is disturbed. Ben says they no longer compete with each other because they’re now a team, and the team must recruit. Robert stands and says that The Wave feels “like being born again” (61). As the students salute and chant, Ben thinks, “They were the Wave now […] and they could act on their own without him if they wanted” (62). However, he isn’t uneasy because he’s sure that he can maintain control.

The Wave members all sit together at lunch, even Robert. Brian shows Laurie his monitor card when she asks if The Wave is getting too weird. Robert says being against The Wave would be breaking a rule. Laurie doesn’t argue because she’s pleased that Robert is no longer ostracized.