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Chapter 35
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The 5th Wave, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Trust and Belief
Survival and Perseverance
Warfare and Dehumanization
Family
Summary
Analysis
After two weeks, Cassie starts to get restless in her room, so Evan bundles her up to let her go on the porch. Cassie does painful rehab to try to heal her injured leg. Evan asks Cassie more about what she knows about the Others. As they talk, Cassie gets angry because she can tell Evan thinks that, based on what Cassie is saying about the Others, Sammy is dead. But to Cassie’s surprise, Evan says that if Cassie is going to find Sammy, he will come with her.
Cassie knows that Sammy must be in danger, but she doesn’t allow herself to believe that he’s dead, because healing enough to go help him is what gives her purpose at the moment. This is similar to how her dad held on to hope, even when it became clear that the invasion of the Others was going to be violent. Cassie’s hope is contagious, motivating Evan to try to come with her despite his own doubts about Sammy being alive.
Themes
Cassie is hesitant about taking Evan with her, feeling that it’s safest to be alone. Evan says he’ll just follow her, even if she tries to leave without him. Cassie says if he does that, she’ll shoot him. Evan mentions her shooting the Crucifix Soldier, and Cassie realizes he’s read her diary. He claims it was only because he thought she was dying.
Even after seeing Evan’s hospitality, Cassie can’t help distrusting him and his intentions. As if to confirm her suspicions, Evan reveals that he has violated Cassie’s trust by reading her diary. Although Evan has an explanation, Cassie has to live with the uncertainty of not knowing the true Evan.
Themes
Cassie is unsettled by how much Evan knows about her. But he take Cassie’s hand and tries to reassure her that he’s not like Vosch or the Crucifix Soldier. He says he’s scared but wants to survive. Cassie leans toward Evan and he kisses her. After a few moments, Cassie pulls back and tells him to stop. She threatens him, although she isn’t sure how she really feels yet. Evan says he didn’t save Cassie—Cassie saved him.
Cassie is not experienced with relationships, as her previous conversation with Crisco showed. This passage continues to toe the line with Evan’s character, showing how he could be a potential romantic interest for Cassie while also leaving open the possibility that perhaps he is a creep who has been spying on her.
Themes
