The Wave: Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, it is Ben Ross, not his students, who is late to class. When he arrives in the classroom, he finds his students all sitting straight up in their seats, silently waiting for him. Ross is pleased and impressed, and “tempted” to push the experiment from yesterday even further. Ross writes the words “STRENGTH THROUGH COMMUNITY” on the board, and tells his students that there’s more going on in the classroom than just discipline—they are building a community, and “struggl[ing] together for a common goal.” David Collins perks up, realizing that what Mr. Ross is talking about is exactly what the football team needs.

Ross urges his students to repeat the words “Strength Through Discipline, Strength Through Community” aloud. All but a few—including Laurie and Brad—repeat the motto. Ross says that what the class needs now is a symbol for their new community—he turns to the board and draws a wave enclosed by a circle. He explains that a wave represents change—but also “movement, direction, and impact.” Their community, he says, will be henceforth known as The Wave—and they will even use a “salute.” Ross cups his hand in the shape of a wave, taps it against his left shoulder, and then holds it upright. The class automatically repeats the salute. As Mr. Ross encourages the class to repeat the salute alongside the motto again and again, he is amazed how “like a regiment” they have become.

After school, as David and Eric get ready for football, David suggests bringing The Wave to the football team, and making them all “members” too. Eric is skeptical of bringing the idea to Coach Schiller, but David assures him that The Wave is what the team needs. Brian chimes in and says he’ll try anything to unite the team against their imposing rivals from Clarkstown. A player named Deutsch teases Brian for being so intimidated by the opposing team, and soon the two boys are brawling. David pulls them apart and chides them for not supporting each other as teammates should. Deutsch says the team could win if only he could take Brian’s place, but David retorts that “a bunch of self-serving individuals don’t make a team.”

As David’s teammates gather around him, they all chime in about how desperate they are to pull together and win. They ask David what they can do, and Eric encourages David to tell them all about The Wave. David begins instructing them all in The Wave’s mottos—and its salute.