The Wave

How do the Main Characters’ views on “The Wave” change?

By Luke Warner

English Essay

The book “The Wave” is about a history class experiment. Most people in Gordon High School are enjoying being part of a large society; however what they do not know is how the “Wave” is spreading – by force. Set in Paulo Alto, California, in 1969, this book proves that although society may not notice it, its spread could be done in a forceful and pressurising manner. This essay will study the book and its characters.

This book focuses on four main characters: Laurie Saunders, Robert Billings, Christy Ross, and Laurie’s mum. Laurie Saunders is a popular A-Grade student, who is also the Editor-in-Chief of the “Gordon Grapevine,” (The school newspaper). Robert Billings is the typical class-loser who is not accepted by the school, or its students. Laurie’s mum is a “worry-wart,” who is always firmly against the Wave. And finally Christy Ross, the wife of Mr. Ben Ross, the leader and creator of the Wave. Each of their opinions are remarkably different. Laurie is uneasy about the Wave in the beginning. She can see the positive things about the Wave, and also the negative things. She states: “So many kids in my class, they’re just caught up with it.” This shows that she noticed how all the other students changed after the start of the experiment. On the other hand, Robert Billings is a firm member of the Wave. He was always rejected at school. The Wave is the only community that accepted him. “I feel like I am part of something special.” Laurie’s mum is always worried about the Wave. “Sounds like brainwashing,” she states. Christy Ross originally thought that it was only a “Silly game.”

She once mocks her husband by stating: “How is your experiment going Dr. Frankenstein? Have your monsters turned on you yet?”

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She once mocks her husband by stating: “How is your experiment going Dr. Frankenstein? Have your monsters turned on you yet?”

Towards the middle of “The Wave” some of the opinions have changed. Laurie is firmly against the Wave. She is one of the few pupils in the school who is not in the Wave, so she is hated by its members. She published an article in the Grapevine, which contains the truth about what the Wave was doing to those against it. However Robert Billings still is a big member of the Wave. The change in Robert is the most notable of any character in the book. Ever since he joined the Wave, he has become a large contributor to the school. In the middle of the book he asked Mr. Ross if he could be his bodyguard, to prove his strong beliefs in the Wave. After Laurie published the article about the Wave, he says that Laurie must be “silenced.” This shows that he always fears for the existence of the Wave. Laurie’s mum has gotten much more worried about the Wave after Laurie was dumped by David, her boyfriend, due to her lack of faith in the Wave. She is much more protective over Laurie. Christy Ross hasn’t been featured in the middle, but there have been some references to her. For example her husband Ben said, “Students which are part of the Wave do better in her classes.

In the last few chapters of the Wave, some characters change very drastically. For example Christy Ross’ views are not so positive. She starts to insist that Ben ceases the spread of the Wave, and ends it. She is concerned about her spouse’s job and how the students will be affected. Also, she is gaining a bad reputation at Gordon High School. Laurie’s views are still mainly negative, however she says that she is glad that the Wave was created. This is because she believes that “Everyone learned a lot.” Laurie was the only character that could see the positive and negative affects the Wave would have (apart from Christy). Mrs. Saunders is not in the rest of the book, but we can assumer that due to numerous parents complaining about the Wave, she also was strongly against it and also complained. We can infer that she was incredibly worried about Laurie after David Collins attacked her. Robert was definitely the one who missed the Wave the most. When Mr. Ross exclaimed that everyone would be “good little Nazis” and when everyone left, he stood there in despair, tears streaming down his face. We can infer that after the Wave, he would take a better attitude towards school, life and himself.

“The Wave” is one example of how youth can be affected by a trend, or a new style. It also proves that extremist and totalitarian regimes are not able to manipulate and control a whole entire population. Laurie states in the book: “not everyone will follow it, not everyone will agree.” This is a very true statement, which has been proven throughout history. No Dictator is able to inspire everyone; there will always be those against them. This book ultimately proves that.