Themes - Wave

Unexpected natural disasters and

their impact
Natural disasters happen all over the world, and they can be utterly devastating for people's
lives and the environments in which they live. As natural disasters are caused by nature, we
can do nothing to prevent them. Many different natural causes lead to natural disasters.
Floods, landslides, earthquakes, Tsunamis, hurricanes, Tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, and
wildfires are some of the natural disasters.

They bring disastrous consequences because they are unexpected and unpredictable. We
may be able to minimize the gravity of the disaster. But it is impossible to prevent natural
disasters completely. Tsunami is one of such horrible natural disasters. The movements of
the plates in the earth's crust cause tsunami. These plates do not always move smoothly so
that they can get stuck, causing a build-up of pressure. It is when this pressure is released
that an earthquake occurs. In turn, an earthquake under the water can cause a tsunami, as
the quake causes great waves by pushing large volumes of water to the surface.

Sri Lanka was one of the countries struck by an undersea quake near the Achan Island close
to Indonesia in the Indian ocean on December 26, 2004. Its development as a tsunami
brought deaths to 230,000 people. And half a million people were displaced from their homes.

Sonali Deraniyagala's memoir 'Wave' is associated the horrible events of this tsunami of the
fateful December 26th
Sonali Deraniyagala reminisces in her memoir about the tragedy caused by tsunami to her
family while they were staying in a hotel close to the beach in Yala wildlife park. She lost her
two sons, husband. parents and her friend, Orlantha who stayed in the same hotel.

Although Sonali and her husband, Steve tried their best to run away from the tidal waves,
they could not evade the waves. It proves that though we are scientifically and technologically
advanced in this 21st century, we still face and suffer the consequences of natural disasters.

The extract from “Wave” is a memoir of the author’s experience of surviving the 2004 Indian
Ocean tsunami that killed her husband, sons, and parents. The impact of this unexpected
natural disaster is portrayed in the following ways:

•
The suddenness and unpredictability of the wave: The author describes how she
saw the wave from her hotel room but did not realize how dangerous it was until it was
too late. She says, “I didn’t know what I was fleeing from” and "Where did this water
come from?1 I didn’t see those waves get to us."2
•
The helplessness and fear of the victims: The author conveys the sense of panic and
terror that she and her family felt as they tried to escape the wave. She says, “We had
no time3. We had to be fast” and "I saw Steve’s face. I’d never seen him like that
before4. A sudden look of terror, eyes wide open, mouth agape."5
•
The loss and separation of loved ones: The author reveals the tragic fate of her
family and friends who were swept away by the wave. She says, “I didn’t stop for my
parents” and "The jeep turned over. On my side. Pain6. That was all I could feel."7

Certainly, here are some added ways the impact of the tsunami is portrayed in “Wave”:

• The physical and emotional trauma: The author describes her physical injuries and
the emotional shock of the disaster. She says, “Pain. That was all I could feel” and “I
was alone1. I was a woman alone.” This highlights the immediate and long-term effects
of the disaster on survivors.
• The destruction of the environment: The author depicts the devastating impact of
the tsunami on the natural landscape. She says, “The beach was gone. The trees were
gone. The houses were gone.” This underscores the power of the wave and the extent
of the damage it caused.
• The resilience and survival instinct: Despite the overwhelming tragedy, the author
shows her determination to survive. She says, “I had to keep going2. I had to find them.”
This reflects the human ability for resilience in the face of disaster.
These elements combine to create a vivid and moving portrayal of the unexpected natural
disaster and its profound impact on the author’s life. The memoir serves as a testament to
the devastating power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.

The extract from the wave is a memoir of Sonali Deraniyagala, who survived the 2004 Indian
Ocean tsunami that killed her husband, two sons, and parents. The text portrays the following
aspects of unexpected natural disasters and their impact:

•
The suddenness and unpredictability of the disaster: The author describes how she
and her family were caught off guard by the wave, which seemed harmless at first but
quickly turned into a deadly force. She says, “I didn’t know what I was fleeing from”
and "Where did this water come from?1 I didn’t see those waves get to us."2
•
The helplessness and fear of the victims: The author conveys the terror and pain
she felt as she was dragged by the water, trapped under the jeep, and separated from
her loved ones. She says, “I was being flattened by it. I tried to push it away, but it was
too heavy” and "Then I saw Steve’s face. I’d never seen him like that before3. A sudden
look of terror, eyes wide open, mouth agape."4
•
The loss and grief of the survivors: The author implies the devastating consequences
of the disaster, which took away her entire family and left her alone. She says, “We
were leaving my parents behind5. I panicked now” and "I had an image of my father
walking out of the hotel, there were puddles everywhere, he had his trousers rolled
up."6

Introduction:
In the extract from “Wave” by Sonali Deraniyagala, the author provides a poignant portrayal
of the unexpected and devastating impact of natural disasters. The narrative is centered
around the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a catastrophic event that forever altered the
author’s life. The text serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the
profound effects it can have on human lives.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the extract from “Wave” is a profound exploration of the impacts of
unexpected natural disasters. Through the lens of personal tragedy, the author shows the
devastating effects of such events, underscoring the fragility of life and the strength of the
human spirit in adversity. The text serves as a testament to the resilience of individuals and
communities in the aftermath of such disasters, and a call to action for better preparedness
and response strategies.

The theme of love and sacrifice is portrayed in this extract from the “Wave” by Sonali through
the following aspects:

• The author’s instinct to protect her children: She runs out of the room with her two
sons, holding them in their hands, without stopping for her parents or anyone else. She
says, "We have to get out1. We fled towards the driveway at the front of the hotel."2
She also lifts the boys as high as she can when the water fills the jeep, keeping their
faces above the water.
• The author’s husband’s concern for his family: He tries to reach out for one of the
boys, shouting, "Give me one of them. Give me one of them."3 He also reassures the
author and the children that her parents will be okay, saying, "Aachchi and seeya will
be okay, they will come later, they will come."4 He holds Vikram close to his chest,
comforting him.
• The author’s parents’ absence: The author regrets not warning her parents or
knocking on their door, as she realizes that she left them behind. She says, "We were
leaving my parents behind5. I panicked now6. If I had screamed at their door as we ran
out, they could have run with us."7 She also imagines her father walking out of the hotel,
with his trousers rolled up, and thinks of calling her mother on her mobile8.
•
The author’s friends’ sacrifice: Orlantha and her parents, who were staying in the
same hotel, also ran with the author and her family. Orlantha’s mother falls out of the
jeep, and her father jumps out to help her. They both lie on the gravel, as the jeep
drives away. The author says, "I didn’t call out to the driver to wait for them. He was
driving very fast9. He’s right, I thought, we have to keep moving."10

Here is an introduction and conclusion for the essay question:

Introduction:
The “Wave” by Sonali Deraniyagala is a memoir of life after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami,
which killed the author’s husband, two sons, and parents. In this extract, the author recounts
the moment when the wave hit their hotel in Sri Lanka and swept them away. The essay
question asks how the theme of love and sacrifice is portrayed in this extract. This essay will
argue that the theme of love and sacrifice is shown through the author’s actions, emotions,
and thoughts as she tries to save her family and herself from the disaster.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the extract from the “Wave” by Sonali Deraniyagala depicts the theme of love
and sacrifice in a vivid and heartbreaking way. The author proves her love for her family by
running with them, holding them, and reassuring them. She also faces the pain of losing them
and the guilt of leaving her parents behind. She sacrifices her own safety and comfort for the
sake of her children. The extract reveals the power of love and sacrifice in the face of
unimaginable tragedy.

Nature of Humanity

The nature of humanity is portrayed in the extract Wave as follows:

• Survival instinct: The narrator and her family flee from the approaching tsunami,
driven by a primal urge to escape from danger. They do not stop to think or rationalize,
but act on instinct. They run, jump, lift, and yell, trying to save themselves and their
loved ones.
• Fear and panic: The narrator and her family experience intense fear and panic as they
see the destructive power of the tsunami. They see the waves engulfing the hotel, the
jeep, and their friends. They feel pain, confusion, and helplessness. They are
overwhelmed by the situation and do not know what to do or expect.
• Love and attachment: The narrator and her family show love and attachment to each
other and their friends. The narrator holds her sons tightly, Steve reassures them, and
they all try to stay together. The narrator also worries about her parents and hopes
they are safe. She regrets not warning them or knocking on their door. She also feels
sorry for Beulah and Anton, who fell out of the jeep.
• Shock and disbelief: The narrator and her family are shocked and disbelieving by the
sudden and unexpected disaster. They do not understand what is happening or why.
They are surprised by the appearance and behavior of the waves, the water, and the
jeep. They do not recognize the familiar landscape or the hotel. They wonder if they
are underwater or not. They are stunned by the turn of events and the loss of control.

•
The wave: "It was only the white curl of a big wave. But you couldn’t usually see
breaking waves from our room."1
•
The escape: "I grabbed Vik and Malli, and we all ran out the front door2. I was ahead
of Steve. I held the boys each by the hand."3
•
The jeep: "We ran up to it. I flung Vikram into the back, and he landed facedown on
the green corrugated-metal floor."4
 • The water: “The jeep was in water then5. Suddenly, all this water inside the jeep6.
Water sloshing over our knees.”

Introduction: In the extract “The Wave,” the nature of humanity is vividly portrayed through
the experiences of the narrator and her family during a catastrophic tsunami. The narrative
explores various aspects of human nature, including survival instinct, fear and panic, love and
attachment, and shock and disbelief. These elements are brought to life through the family’s
desperate escape from the impending disaster, their reactions to the terrifying power of the
tsunami, their efforts to stay together amidst the chaos, and their struggle to understand the
sudden and drastic changes in their environment.

Conclusion: In conclusion, “The Wave” provides a profound exploration of the nature of

humanity in the face of a natural disaster. The characters’ responses to the tsunami reveal
the complexity and depth of human emotions and instincts. Their experiences underscore
the resilience, vulnerability, and interconnectedness of humans when confronted with life-
threatening situations. The extract serves as a stark reminder of our shared humanity,
highlighting the universal human experiences of fear, love, and survival instinct, even in the
most extraordinary circumstances. It invites readers to reflect on their own responses to
crisis and adversity, and to appreciate the strength and fragility of the human spirit.