From tectonic plates to the circle of life, things on Earth are always changing. That's nothing new. Still, when seven billion people croak in just a few months' time, a lot of practical—and emotional—adjustments that must be made.
There's the big stuff, like no more electricity or cars. There's the little things, like no more cold drinks. Then there's the utter terror of watching almost everyone around you die badly. Cassie, Ben, and the other humans in The 5th Wave are dealing with a lot of strain on a lot of levels, and each person has their own way of coping.
Also, some people choose not to cope at all. We're told that, after the alien attacks, many people killed themselves, unable to find a way to deal with all that upheaval.
Questions About Change
- Why do the human characters have so much sentimental value for seemingly unsentimental things (like cell phones) from their pasts?
- Why does Evan change his allegiance from Team Alien to Team Human?
- Cassie's world has changed a lot, almost overnight. Which change do you think she struggles with the most?
Chew on This
Through the characters of Cassie and Ben, The 5th Wave suggests that change is a force for bad.
Through the character of Evan, The 5th Wave suggests that change can be a force for good.