The 5th Wave

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1, Chapters 1-12

Part 1, Chapters 13-24

Parts 2-4, Chapters 25-36

Parts 5-6, Chapters 37-52

Parts 7-8, Chapters 53-64

Part 9, Chapters 65-77

Parts 10-12, Chapters 78-82

Part 13, Chapters 83-91

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

The 5th Wave’s first-person perspective fluctuates from character to character (Cassie Sullivan, Ben Parish, Evan Walker, and Sammy Sullivan). What is the purpose of this? How does it add tension? Why is tension important to a novel’s plot?

10 days after the Arrival, the Others begin waves of attacks on Earth. Describe the four waves. What is the purpose of each wave? What do these attacks suggest about the Others and their desire for Earth?

Cassie meets and kills a wounded soldier in a convenience store who was holding a crucifix. This episode comes up often in Cassie’s thoughts and her discussions with Evan. Why does this soldier become a symbol of the fourth wave to Cassie? Why does Evan think Cassie shot the soldier? Why does she argue with his assessment? Why is Cassie so bothered by this episode?