Comparing The Wave And The Diary Of Anne Frank

“Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under commission, it’s just the opposite.” - John Kenneth Galbraith. Mass conformity means a majority of act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours to group norms. Norms are specific rules, shared by a group of individuals, that guide their interactions with each other. The Nazis demanded mass conformity under Hitler. In every case or an every occasion there are people who do not or will not obey to what is demanded. Like Laurie Saunders in the Wave, Anne did not comply to the dominant institution. The Wave and The Diary of Anne Frank relate to the theme of mass conformity under one power because both of these novels explore the concept of conformity and individuality by putting average people in

a place where they feel pressured to act upon something. They have three choices, to do the same as everyone else and conform, to be afraid and hide, or to rebel. In its extreme form conformity is the loss of individuality and free will. An extreme conformist is unable to make a decision for themself.

‘The Wave’ is a nonfiction book revolving on a classroom experiment going out of hand while Laurie who experiences her classmates change from teenagers into chanting, saluting extremists. Laurie opposes to ‘The Wave’ and goes against the crowd. She stands up for her own beliefs in what she thinks is right, in comparison to the majority of the other students who do what others do or what is told of them, simply to be accepted. Despite the fact, she is still conforming to the so called 'non conformists' who are against 'The Wave'; therefore she is still conforming.