Rhue, Morton (Strasser, Todd): *1950

The Wave, 1981 - Thematic Parallels: Peer Pressure

Rhue, Morton: The Wave, 1981
The book raises deep ethical questions about whether the state should have the right to take a life and how society should deal with crime, guilt, and mercy.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "The Wave," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Golding, William: Lord of the Flies, 1954, ~250pp
  This novel explores how quickly social order can break down and how easily individuals can be swept into collective violence and the loss of individuality.
  Both works argue that under the right (or wrong) conditions, people can abandon morals and embrace destructive behavior. They show easily individuals conform and rationalize unethical behavior when part of a group. They suggest that without conscious effort to uphold ethics and question authority, people can quickly descend into cruelty and chaos—even in seemingly civil environments.
- Houston, Julian: New Boy, 2005, ~260pp
  This story deals with themes of racism, social integration, and the pressure to conform within a school environment, paralleling "The Wave’s" exploration of how group dynamics can affect individuals.
  Both books expose the dangers of prejudice and how systems can perpetuate discrimination if not actively resisted. Both protagonists face moral dilemmas that test their integrity and shape their identity.
- McDonell, Nick: Twelve, 2002, ~240pp
  This novel explores youth culture and the pressures of belonging, which can be thematically linked to the social dynamics in "The Wave."
  Both novels demonstrate how peer pressure and a desire to fit in can override individual morality and rational thinking. They emphasize that blind obedience—to a group or a lifestyle—can lead to real and sometimes irreversible consequences.
- Wyndham, John: The Chrysalids, 1955, ~180pp
  This science fiction novel explores a society governed by strict conformity and fear of difference. It highlights the dangers of groupthink, intolerance, and the suppression of individuality—central themes in "The Wave.""
  In both books individuality is sacrificed for the sake of belonging, which ultimately leads to personal and societal harm. Yet both stories feature protagonists who awaken to the dangers of the system and take action to resist, offering a message of hope and the importance of independent thought. .
List of general discussion questions on Peer Pressure (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Peer Pressure (pdf)