The 5th Wave Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

  • The Bible (1.4)
  • Cassiopeia (mythology) (2.8)
  • Poseidon (2.8)
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (5.29)
  • The Grapes of Wrath (5.29)
  • Sylvia Plath (5.29)
  • Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends (5.29)
  • Moby-Dick (25.1)
  • The Metamorphosis (32.15)
  • War of the Worlds (34.19)
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (43.2)
  • William Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice" (64.33)

Historical References

  • World War II (5.33)
  • Christopher Columbus (5.118)
  • Enrico Fermi (13.25)
  • J. Robert Oppenheimer (13.28)
  • Mother Teresa (14.20)
  • September 11th, 2001 (35.21)

Pop Culture References

  • Peter Rabbit (3.14)
  • Star Wars (4.41)
  • E.T. (4.41)
  • Disney World (5.36)
  • Starbucks (5.52)
  • The Terminator (5.58)
  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind (5.118)
  • Star Trek (5.120)
  • The Wizard of Oz (6.5)
  • Coldplay (13.12)
  • "Three Blind Mice" (14.35)
  • Brawny paper-towel guy (34.27)
  • The Incredible Hulk (35.5)
  • Dumbo (43.2)
  • The Flintstones (43.2)