Page 72 - Point 5 Literature Program Option 1 Teachers Guide (2) (1)

Laurie finds other students who feel as she does and they write against the dangers of the wave
in The Grapevine – the school paper. they represent the ‘Resistance’ – the ‘sane minority’.
after David has a violent fight with Laurie, he, too, realizes that something is wrong and the
wave must be stopped.
Ross already knows it is time to bring the experiment to an end. he tells his students that the
wave is a national movement that has spread all over the country, and organizes a rally. all
members must attend because their leader will speak to them. this is the climax of the story –
the expectant students suddenly see hitler on the screen and Ross shouts, There is your leader!
and continues: You say it could never happen again, but look how close you came. thanks to the
experiment, they have learned that they are responsible for their own actions and should never
follow anyone blindly.
the story lends itself to discussion about society’s need both for strong leadership and for a
sense of belonging. this is typified by the weaker personality, Robert, who becomes the most
enthusiastic member of the group without stopping to think about what it represents.
Ben Ross’ experiment is a sharp reminder to all of us that unless people are on guard constantly
and fully aware of the dangers, they can easily be made to behave in the same way as people
in Nazi Germany.

Working Through the Unit
Pre-Reading Activity
Discuss the questions with the students.

Basic Understanding
there are questions on each chapter. Students may answer either orally or in writing as they read.
You can assign different questions to different students, individually, in pairs or in groups and
have them share their responses with the class.

Chapter 1
Key Vocabulary
Students may refer to the Key vocabulary list when they do the vocabulary Practice exercises.

Vocabulary Practice
Answers:
2. a. inept, befuddled, attempt, manual dexterity
b. perpetual
c. reprimanded, sloppy, optional, compelled, is due, except for
d. overzealous, overshadowed
3. a. ii b. ii

Questions
Answers might include:
1. The setting is the history classroom of Gordon High School.

72 the wave