Success is Power

“Success through discipline. Is there anyone here who isn't interested in power and success?” - Ben Ross, The Wave, p. 36

I think that Ben is trying to bribe them with success and power. This probably sounds good to the kids because I know that I would like to succeed and have power. This is how I would get people to follow me. While Ben was talking he sounded very serious so I would be afraid to refuse his offer. I also think that Ben will abuse his power over the kids and the kids will abuse their power that Ben bestows upon them. I also wonder why Ben would try to get the kids to follow him. I think that he is using peer pressure to get more kids to follow him. I am also wondering will he lose his true purpose of the experiment farther in the book.

This quote brings me to the themes of abuse of power and blind obedience. It reminds me of abuse of power because Ben is acting like Hitler after WWI when Germany had lost the war and was pretty shaken up. Hitler promised wealth and glory to Germany, things that the people wanted. The kids in Gordon High probably want success and power so Ben promised them those things. I think of blind obedience because you have to be obedient to a teacher and what they say. Like if a teacher says something you HAVE to follow it or get in trouble.