Analysis

In order to analyze the novel The Wave by Morton Rhue, we must first look at its main characteristics. First, we examine the structure of the work, which follows the pattern of a classic drama and progresses toward a climax.

We highlight Morton Rhue's narrative style as well as illustrate the language within the novel with appropriate and descriptive textual examples. 

We will end our analysis by discussing the symbol of the Wave and how it affects its followers.

Structure

The novel The Wave by Morton Rhue is divided into 17 short chapters, which are numbered. For the structure of the work Rhue has chosen the form of a classical drama: the plot is heading towards its climax. All the characters who are part of the action move along with it as if they were carried away by it like a wave. The classical drama is divided into five acts, and the most significant points in each can also be found in Morton Rhue`s work The Wave.

Chapters 1-10 can be considered the introduction (exposition) of the plot. The characters are introduced and described; the reader is familiarized with the story.

In Chapter 11, Laurie finds the anonymous letter in the publication office of the school newspaper. This letter confirms her suspicions that there is something wrong with The Wave: “Laurie refolded the story and put it back in the envelope. Her thoughts about The Wave were beginning to come into focus.” (Chapter 11, 40%). 

In classical drama, this would be the inciting incident that triggers an escalation in the plot or a conflict. In novels, we call this the rise. The fact that Laurie develops an even more negative feeling about the movement from this point on, while her classmates let it influence them completely, can definitely be classified as a conflict.

The plot has its apparent climax in chapter 15, when David brutally pushes his girlfriend Laurie to the ground because of an argument about The Wave: “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. (Chapter 15, 53%). After David realizes how wrong his behavior towards Laurie was, the two decide to go see Ben Ross so that he can put an immediate end to the terror: “ ‘You’ve got to stop it,’ ” Laurie urged him. Chapter 15, 94%).

A retarding moment follows in chapter 16. Although the reader thinks Ben Ross would now intervene immediately, he asks for one more day to let the experiment end as he wants: “ ‘All I need is the rest of the day, and I can teach them a lesson they will never forget.’ ” (Chapter 16, 16%). This delay in the plot is used to create even greater suspense.

In Chapter 17, the catastrophe occurs: Ross, the teacher, shows his students pictures of Adolf Hitler and tells them that they have been good Nazis. He also points...

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