In The Wave, we are currently reading chapters 5-8. In the start of chapter 5, Ben Ross starts thinking about how he can make the students understand what it was like to be in Hitler’s position and everyone who was controlled by Hitler. When the kids walk into class one day, there is “Strength Through Discipline” written on the blackboard. Mr. Ross teaches them to work together and organize themselves. He gets the kids to talk to him in a proper way, and stand next to their desks when they speak, and say “Mr. Ross” before they answer a question or state something. The day after, the kids keep doing it without being told. Mr. Ross doesn’t expect this from the students, but he goes along with it.

That day, he adds “Community” to the blackboard. He gets the class to work as a team and work with eachother. The guys in the class who are on the football team start getting the rest of the team to become a part of the Wave, because they don’t really think much of it. Mr. Ross explains it in a way that just makes it seem like it will just improve the team’s skills. But some of the students, mainly Laurie, doesn’t seem to like the fact that everyone is equal.

I think these chapters are interesting and are going to play a huge part later on in the book. It is the starting of the Wave, the actual group. If I were a student in this class, I think I wouldn’t like being a part of it because you’re losing the opportunity to think for yourself. Sure, there would be some advantages, like not being judged for how you look, or who you hang out with, things like that. But I don’t think any of the students, other than Laurie, realize what’s actually happening. Mr. Ross is thinking for all of them, and they have all given up on their own ideas and beliefs because he told them something different.