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Chapter 77
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
In the hospital, after Vosch leaves, Ben starts on an escape plan that he’s been visualizing for a long time. He overhears Kistner the orderly mentioning something about an alert at camp and how it might be another air raid drill. Ben approaches Kistner and asks to go to the bathroom. Once inside, Ben gets on the toilet and calls Kistner in, saying he needs help getting up. When Kistner is close, Ben attacks him, then takes his clothes.
The alert at camp that Ben hears about seems to be the work of Cassie. While Ben and Cassie’s stories have been circling each other for a while, they now seem set to actually intersect, as each goes to help Sammy. Their stories continue to follow a similar trajectory, as Ben’s attack of Kistner recalls Cassie’s attack on Dr. Pam.
Themes
On Ben’s way out, a doctor stops him, believing he’s an orderly in his new disguise. Ben awkwardly manages to keep up his cover. He then finds a scalpel to remove the chip from his neck.
Ben has now removed the chip from his neck on three separate occasions. His decision to keep pulling it out—and to keep trying to be independent and seek the truth—shows his resilience.
Themes
