New worlds may sound very appealing as they have a lot of promised benefits. However, threats come along with benefits such as the power to conform, brainwash and suppress freedom which are greatly explored in the novel, The Wave by Morton Rhue and the movie Across the Universe. They challenge our values and affect the attitudes people choose to deal with the changes. People can choose to adapt to the changes in a positive and optimistic way as shown in the song named "Across the Universe" which is used in the movie as well. In these three texts, a positive attitude is suggested for dealing with the changes in the new world. New worlds creates conformity. In the novel The Wave by Morton Rhue, "strength through discipline, strength through community," is the motto of the Wave. Mr Ross creates this motto because he wants to prove to his students that discipline and community can create powers. The repetition of the word 'strength' emphasizes the power of conformity. It also has a strong tone behind the motto. All the wave members are asked to do certain things such as giving the Wave salute. It is shown that the new world - the Wave - has resulted in conformity.
At the induction scene in Taymor's film, Across the Universe, Max is taken to the United States Army. Soldiers are wearing the same uniform, having the same masks on and dancing in unity. This shows the loss in individuality which is the consequences of conformity. Max is stripped down to his underwear like other people, which symbolizes that he is forced to conform to soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War and killing people blindly. The use of full shots of soldiers dancing symbolizes that they are all the same and are no longer independent individuals. The music in the background "I Want You So Bad" is very strong. It is ironic because it emphasizes the power of the government, which is represented by Uncle Sam, to conform people.
