How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
On his own, Ben had tried to find out what it was that attracted students to The Wave. Some of those he asked said it was just something new and different, like any other fad. Others said they liked the democracy of it – the fact that they were all equals now. (9.6)
Ben claims to be patterning his experiment on Germany under the Nazis. So this talk of group equality is rather confusing in that context. As you know, the Nazis believed that Jews, people of color, homosexuals, Communists, Roma Gypsies, the mentally ill, and many others should not only be excluded from German citizenship, but not even allowed to live. Ben is probably drawing on what he read about German Nationalism, which involved a loyalty to one's nation. But, aren't we all supposed to be loyal to our nations? And under the Nazis, weren't acts of disloyalty (such as criticizing the Nazis) punishable by imprisonment or death? Is that real loyalty? The Wave sure brings up lots of complicated questions.
Quote #8
"[…] If our experiment has been successful […] you will have learned that we are all responsible for our own actions, and that you must always question what you do rather than blindly follow a leader, and that for the rest of your lives, you will never allow a group's will to usurp your individual rights." (17.39)
Ben wants his students to be independent thinkers. He wants them to question people in authority. He wants them to develop strong personal codes of ethics – of what is right and wrong. Ben is suggesting that the best way to be loyal to human beings in general is by first being loyal to ourselves.