1. THE WAVE
by Todd Strasser

2. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 1 1. What is the setting of the novel?
The story mostly takes place at Gordon High School which is in a small, suburban community of middle-class families. The novel is based on a true story that took place in Palo Alto, California in 1969.

3. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 1 2. Describe the following characters:
Laurie Saunders:
Main character
Pretty, short light-brown hair
Editor-in-chief of The Grapevine
Smart, good student
Serious, deep-thinker
Amy Smith:
Laurie’s best friend
Petite, thick curly hair
Feels she has to “compete” with Laurie
Ben Ross:
Well-liked history teacher at Gordon High
Not good with technology
Charismatic
Concerned about his students

4. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 1 Christy Ross: Brian Ammon: Robert Billings:
Ben’s loyal and loving wife
Music and choir teacher at Gordon High
Understands that her husband get very “focused” on things
Brian Ammon:
Quarter back on the football team
Big appetite
Robert Billings:
“Class loser”
Lives in the shadow of his overachieving brother
Doesn’t care about school
Unkempt, social outcast
David Collins:
Tall, good-looking
Good student
Running back on the football team
Laurie’s boyfriend

5. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 1
3. Name three examples in this chapter that indicate that some students and/or teachers at Gordon High lack self-discipline.
Some teachers at Gordon High are resentful of Mr. Ross because he works hard (and makes them look bad because they don’t)
Students were late for class
Many students didn’t do homework and those who did it, did a messy job
Some students don’t pay attention in class
The Grapevine staff didn’t turn articles in on time

6. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2
4. Describe Hitler’s background and rise to power.
Hitler, a house painter, turned to politics after WWI. Germany had been defeated in the war and thousands in the country were homeless, hungry and jobless. Hitler saw this as an opportunity to rise quickly through the political ranks by claiming that the Jews were the destroyers of German civilization. He believed and preached that the Germans were a superior race. He told the people of Germany, who were desperate for someone to bail them out of poverty, what they wanted to hear. He manipulated and used the people to gain power.

7. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2
5. What was the “final solution to the Jewish problem” according to Hitler?
The “death camps” were his final solution. He sent everyone that he thought was not part of his “superior race” to concentration camps where they were worked, starved, tortured or put to death.

8. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2 6. What were the students’ reactions to the film?
The students were shocked and stunned by the film. Some were close to tears. Several questioned how and/or why this could have happened.

9. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2
7. Mr. Ross was asked why the Nazis (only 10% of the German population) were not stopped. What were the possible reasons?
The German people claimed they knew nothing about the concentration camps or killings, but the real reason was probably that they were afraid to speak up. The Nazi party was highly organized and feared. Anyone who questioned or rebelled could also be killed.

10. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2 8. How did the students react to these reasons?
One student said that he would never let such a small minority rule the majority. Another said that he wouldn’t let a couple of Nazis scare him into submission.

11. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2
9. How did some Nazis try to excuse their behavior?
After the war many Nazis tried to excuse their behavior by claiming they were only following orders and that they would have been killed themselves if they hadn’t.

12. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2
10. What did the students say about these reasons?
They said it was no excuse. They could have fought back or ran away. They should have thought for themselves.

13. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 2 11. Why was Robert Billings a poor student?
Robert lived in the shadow of his older brother who had been a model student and very popular. Seeing that he could never compete with his brother’s achievements, he decided it was better not to even try.

14. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 3
12. Compare and contrast Laurie’s reaction to the film with David’s reaction. Cite at least three similarities and three differences. (6 pts.)
Same:
a. They both thought it was a horrible incident in history
b. They were both bothered by the film
c. It made both of them think about the past
Different:
a. Laurie lost her appetite, but David didn’t
b. David said that it’s over now and people should move on
c. Laurie couldn’t stop think about the film

15. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 3
13. Why were Laurie and Amy not truly close friends?
The constant competition between them kept them from being really close.

16. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 3 14. Describe the following characters: (2 pts.)
a. Carl Block – The Grapevine’s investigative reporter
b. Alex Cooper – The Grapevine’s music reviewer

17. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 4
15. What question is Ben Ross trying to answer in this chapter?
Why didn’t the majority of German’s who were not Nazis try to stop what was happening?

18. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 5 17. What were the new class rules?
Everyone must have pencils and note paper for note-taking.
When asking or answering a question, you must stand at the side of your seat.
The first word you say when asking or answering a question are, “Mr. Ross.”

19. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 5
18. Describe these characters’ reactions: (4 pts.)
Brian – very enthusiastic about it
David – felt power of a unit
c. Brad – thought it was no big deal
d. Robert – was seen practicing in the bathroom

20. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 6
19. What did Mr. Ross add to “Strength through discipline”?
“Strength through Community”

21. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 6 20. What was Mr. Ross’ definition of “community”?
The feeling that you are a part of something that’s more important than yourself. You’re a movement, a team, or a cause.

22. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 6
21. Who were the last students to join in repeating the mottos?
Laurie and Brad did not join at first, but finally rose from their chairs and participated.

23. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 6
22. What was the symbol of the class movement? Why?
The symbol was a circle with the outline of a wave inside it. A wave is a pattern of change. It has movement, direction, and impact.

24. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 6 23. Describe the salute.
Cup your right hand in the shape of a wave, tap it against your left shoulder, and then hold it upright.

25. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 7
24. Christy Ross makes three observations about Ben’s experiment. What are they?
The students are afraid of being unprepared, they don’t have to think for themselves, and they are acting superior to students in the rest of the school.

26. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 8
25. What three things are added to The Wave movement? (3 pts.)
a. Membership cards
b. Monitors
c. “Strength through Action”

27. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 8
27. Who is the first student to become uneasy over The Wave?
Laurie Saunders

28. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 9
28. What disturbing discovery did Ben make about the students’ preparation for class?
Although his students seemed prepared for class because they could spit back answers, they didn’t seem to be analyzing or questioning anything. They weren’t thinking!

29. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 9 29. What is Mrs. Saunders’ opinion of The Wave?
She thinks The Wave is like a cult and that people who are unhappy with themselves and their lives join such things. She is worried that everyone at school is taking it too seriously and that someone may eventually get hurt.

30. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 10
Take a break - No questions!! : )

31. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 11
30. What four things occur in this chapter that reflect negatively on The Wave? (4pts.)
a. The letter to The Grapevine editor from the boy being threatened by Wave members.
b. Robert wants to be Mr. Ross’ bodyguard.
c. Mr. Ross is hearing about “orders” he had given for the Wave to do things, but he didn’t give the orders!
d. The pep rally was changed to a Wave rally without school authorization.

32. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 12
31. Why does David think Laurie is against The Wave?
He thinks she’s against it because it makes her equal like everyone else instead of the best and most popular student.

33. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 12
32. What does Carl’s statement, “Looks like I’ve stumbled into Anne Frank’s attic,” refer to? Explain.
It is an allusion to The Diary of Anne Frank. Anne and her Jewish family hid in an attic to avoid being taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis. Carl is comparing Laurie hiding out in The Grapevine office to avoid The Wave to the Frank family situation.

34. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 12
33. What do Laurie, Carl, and Alex plan to do to discourage The Wave?
They decide to put out an issue of The Grapevine to question the purpose and intentions of The Wave.

35. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 12
34. What incident takes place that causes more concern to Laurie and her father?
Laurie’s father tells her that a boy was beaten up after The Wave rally when he refused to participate. Mr. Saunders also told her that he is concerned that The Wave also targeted the boy because he is Jewish.

36. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 13
35. Describe Laurie’s conversation with Brad about the salute.
Laurie tries to go up into the bleachers at the football game, but Brad won’t let her pass unless she does The Wave salute. She refuses and they argue until finally he tells her to go ahead up, but people would be “watching” her. She realizes that Brad seems afraid of what the other Wave members will do if he doesn’t go along with them.

37. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 13 36. What did Laurie say in her editorial?
It 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. She said that The Wave had already begun to do more harm than good.

38. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 14&15
37. What incident occurs as a result of Laurie’s stand?
First she and Amy argue and hurtful things are said. Then Robert says that Laurie is a threat to The Wave and must be stopped. Brian tells Robert that he and David will take care of it. The plan is for David to meet up with Laurie after school to tell her to “cool it”!

39. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 14&15
38. What incident is the turning point in David’s feelings about The Wave?
David confronts Laurie about her criticism of The Wave. They argue and he ends up grabbing her and throwing her to the ground. He realizes at this point that he has let The Wave control him and now he feels “almost as if he were coming out of a trance.” He knows he could have hurt someone because of The Wave, including his girlfriend!

40. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 14&15 39. How was The Wave successful?
The Wave had originally been conceived as a way to show Ross’ students how frightening life in Nazi Germany had been. When David and Laurie explained to him how scared some of the students were, he knew his experiment was a success.

41. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 16
No questions – almost done!! : )

42. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 17
Mr. Ross finds what he considers a natural inclination of people. What is that inclination?
He realized that it is a natural inclination for people to look for a leader; someone to make decisions for them.

43. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 17
41. What do the students learn from The Wave experiment?
They learn that everyone is responsible for their own actions and that you must always question and not blindly follow a leader. You must never allow a group’s will to overtake your individual rights.

44. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 17
42. What does David mean when he says, “Let’s try and forget it…I mean let’s try not to forget it…but let’s forget it at the same time”?
He was trying to say that everyone should forget the specific Wave incidents, but don’t forget the lessons that were learned from these incidents.

45. THE WAVE – CHAPTER 17
43. What do you think Mr. Ross intends to say to Robert as this novel ends?
Mr. Ross will probably tell Robert that it really wasn’t The Wave that gave him the ability and drive to improve his life, but it was something inside of him. He has self-confidence now that he can continue without The Wave.

46. YOU’RE FINALLY FINISHED – GREAT JOB!!