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Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Wave

It seems fitting that the primary and most powerful symbol in The Wave is a wave. In Chapter 6, The Wave officially begins when Mr. Ross extends the movement’s motto and then creates its logo, a circle with an outline of a wave inside, along with its salute, a wave he forms with his right hand. The symbol is an appropriate one for the movement, given the growth, discipline, and organization it initially brings students: “A wave,” Mr. Ross explains in class, “is a pattern of change. It has movement, direction, and impact.” However, waves can also signal danger. The novel’s use of a wave as a symbol also represents how rapidly students, and Mr. Ross for that matter, become swept up in the movement, and how swiftly its collective mindset replaces individualism. Especially dangerous waves eventually crash and bring destruction, just like The Wave movement brought to Gordon High. 

Sheep

Sheep symbolize weakness along with a willingness to conform, follow, relinquish individualism, and submit to a group mindset. The characteristics represent how Wave members behave, particularly as the movement peaks. In Chapter 13, Brad “looked around sheepishly” when Laurie defies his order to give The Wave’s salute and questions why he’s going along with the movement. Later, in Chapter 14, Laurie tells Amy that even though The Wave has caused harm, “everyone’s going along with it like a flock of sheep.” Surprised that her bright friend still can’t see the truth, Laurie warns Amy that The Wave is causing all of their peers to lose their sense of self and forget who they are as individuals. In a similar sense, Laurie then compares Wave members to zombies in the film Night of the Living Dead, and earlier, in Chapter 13, Alex calls Wave members “sniveling, spineless amoebas” while planning The Grapevine’s exposé about the movement.

A Free Press

A free press is often considered to be a vanguard of democracy and even the fourth branch of the United States government, and for good reason: Honest, truthful journalism plays an essential role in informing the populace and serving as a watchdog against corrupt leaders and institutions. It’s no wonder, then, that as fascism is allowed to take root and dictators rise, the freedom of the press is the first to be targeted. Credit the courage of Carl, Alex, and Laurie, along with their ability to print a special edition about The Wave in The Grapevine, for exposing the truth about the movement and halting its momentum when it was needed most.

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