thesis statements ender's game

Ender's Game

By orson scott card, ender's game themes, everybody lies.

Ender does not trust anyone, and one of the manifestations of that distrust is the suggestion that everyone lies, especially the adults (and in particular teachers) towards the children. For instance, Graff lies to Ender multiple times, the most obvious time being when he and Mazer pretend that the battles Ender is fighting against the buggers are actually just Mazer's battle scenarios. Ender ended up destroying almost all the buggers while thinking that he was just winning games. Even the young Valentine is insincere insofar as she writes under the pseudonym Demosthenes

Sometimes, lies are more dependable than the truth

This idea is submitted by Ender very early in the novel, when the nurse tells him that taking his monitor out will not be painful. Ender points out that since adults only say such a thing when it is going to hurt, children can always depend on the lie to warn them of the pain. In this way, the idea that everybody lies almost becomes a good thing, since it means that they are easier to figure out. A lie reveals a truth about a person's motivations.

You can't trust anybody

Ender is brought up not to trust anyone, and he often feels betrayed. For instance, Ender trusts Valentine implicitly, but she becomes the tool of the International Fleet in order to get him to continue with his training. Also, Ender realizes that he cannot always trust his friends, such as Petra--when he becomes commander and Dragon Army destroys her army, she is furious with him for months, being not much better than the other jealous commanders. Ender is not given many opportunities for friendship or trust so that he becomes fiercely independent and thus, it seems, a better commander.

Individual initiative versus central planning

Ender is chosen to be the commander who leads the fleet to victory, thereby saving the world. The principle here is that a single mind can direct the war effort better than a number of individual commanders. The military leaders have decided to follow this principle as they have sought the one most promising child to become the supreme commander. But Ender does not really want to be such a savior, and he prefers to have squadron leaders who can think and act independently with just a few organizing principles to follow. In fact, Ender's decentralized approach proves superior to that of the buggers, which is centralized in that a queen commander makes all the decisions while the workers simply follow orders.

Identity conflict

Ender Wiggin's personality is a combination of his brother's ruthlessness and his sister's compassion, which are constantly fighting each other for control. Likewise, Valentine and Peter share, to some degree, each other's characteristics, and all three siblings struggle to realize an integrated identity. In Ender's case, he chooses to win thoroughly against his enemies, but his compassion for them makes him hate himself for hurting them. Graff also struggles with his isolation of Ender for military purposes despite his real affection for Ender, wanting to be compassionate and practical at the same time.

Individual needs versus the common good

Colonel Graff 's sense of duty to the human race leads him to reason with Ender, on multiple occasions, that Ender should see himself as a "tool" for the human race. He notes that "Human beings are free except when humanity needs them." Graff argues that humans become tools whenever the species needs them. Card seems to support this point of view in that we may feel sorry for Ender, but we can hardly imagine another way that the war could have been won. The happiness of one boy, it seems, should be forfeited for the sake of the race. Ender understands this point, so he makes a free choice to suffer for the sake of humanity. One thinks here of Plato's philosopher-kings in the Republic who would prefer not to rule society but who do so anyway, leading less satisfying lives in order to make the society function well enough for others to live more satisfying lives.

Friends and enemies

At every level the novel rests on antagonism: everyone is a friend or an enemy or both. The buggers and humans are enemies. Among humans, the world alliance is undermined by antagonism between, basically, the Americans and the second Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw alliance is undermined by antagonism between Muslim and non-Muslim allies. In Ender's experience, nobody can be fully trusted, but everyone is basically a friend or an enemy. This does not mean that e is always right in his identifications. He believes that Graff and Mazer are his enemies, mainly because they tell him so, but in reality they both care about him very much. For a while, after Ender becomes a commander, he cannot be sure whether Dink and Petra are still his friends, but they definitely are. In contrast, Ender thinks throughout the novel that the buggers are his enemy, but by the end of the novel, they have become his friends.

Isolation yields individual strength

Throughout the novel, Graff and Mazer isolate Ender from all of the other students at Battle School and Command School. Graff explains his reasoning multiple times; in his isolation, Ender will grow strong enough to beat the buggers. Graff thinks that Ender cannot expect anyone to help him at any time, or else he will not develop the willpower and strength to win at critcal points. Thus, Graff believes that the isolation teaches Ender to be strong. Ender reflects this idea in his treatment of Bean when Dragon Army is first created. Also, while Graff, Mazer, and Ender all hate the fact that they have to isolate their protégés, they continue on the path of isolation in order to develop them.

Ender’s Game Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Ender’s Game is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What does Ender mean when he says he wants to keep practicing with the Launchies because “From you I can learn what nobody knows”?

For Ender, some of the other students do seem to be the enemy. Some commanders suggest that Launchies who practice with Ender will be blackballed, and those who do practice with him get bullied. Ender is a unique boy who learns from the people he...

How does Ender inspire confidence and loyalty in the soldiers in his army?

Ender devises a whole new way to play the game. Instead of the same old uniformity and top down power structure, Ender gives Dragon team their own responsibilities. The team is split up into five toons that work independently yet are aware of each...

how does ender defeat Bonzo's army?

Study Guide for Ender’s Game

Ender's Game study guide contains a biography of Orson Scott Card, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Ender's Game
• Ender's Game Summary
• Character List

Essays for Ender’s Game

Ender's Game literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Ender's Game.

• Homophobia in Ender’s Game
• The Mark of Isolation in Adolescence
• Maturity in Ender's Game: A State of Mind, Not a Physical Quality
• How Manipulation Functions in Ender's Game
• Empathy for the Buggers: The Change in Ender Wiggins’ Morality

Lesson Plan for Ender’s Game

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Ender's Game
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Ender's Game Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Ender’s Game

• Introduction
• Creation and inspiration
• Critical response

Ender’s Game

Orson scott card, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

It’s clear from Chapter 1 of Ender’s Game that Orson Scott Card’s novel takes place at a time when the governments of the world exercise harsh control over their own citizens. There seem to be three major powers in the world: America, controlled by the powerful Strategos ; Russia, controlled by the equally powerful Polemarch ; and the IF, supposedly controlled by both the Polemarch and Strategos, but in actuality controlled largely by administrators like Colonel Hyrum Graff . It’s worth understanding how these forces maintain their power, and what Card is suggesting about the way authority works.

The great powers in Card’s novel maintain control of their people for highly specific reasons. Early in the book it’s explained that religious and sexual freedom in the United States has been regulated to the point where it’s illegal to have more than two children. (This clashes with the teachings of religions such as Mormonism and Catholicism.) The supposed reason for these restrictions of people’s freedom is population control—it’s implied that there’s not enough food to go around, meaning that the only way for the human race to survive is to limit human reproduction. Much the same is true of Ender ’s education under the IF at Battle School. Ender’s freedom to communicate with his family or to make friends is taken away from him, always with the stated purpose of making Ender a superior soldier and defeating the Buggers, thereby saving the human race from destruction.

When presented as a problem of “freedom versus survival,” it’s hard to argue with the logic of restricting Ender’s mail or limiting the legal number of children. But Scott heavily implies that there is something more sinister going on. At one point, Dink Meeker , a friend of Ender’s, suggests a disturbing possibility: there are no more Buggers—the IF is fabricating the threat in order to maintain control of the world’s children. While Dink turns out to be wrong about the Buggers themselves (they’re still alive), he’s half-right: in a sense, the IF is creating the Bugger threat to manipulate others. This becomes clear toward the end of the novel, when Ender realizes that the Bugger queen trusts Ender, and wants to cooperate with him to ensure that both Buggers and humans can live in peace. The IF wrongly assumes that the Buggers will continue to wage war on humans, and it acts accordingly. When understood in this way, the tyranny of the IF (or, for that matter, the governments of Earth) doesn’t demonstrate mankind’s need to survive so much as mankind’s inexhaustible need to fight. Sure enough, less than 24 hours after the Buggers are defeated, war breaks out on Earth.

If there is a problem with the governments in Orson Scott Card’s novel, it’s their lack of understanding of people (or Buggers) who are unlike them. It’s not entirely clear what Orson Scott Card would put in their place, but it’s notable that his novel ends with Ender going off to found both a new world and a new religion—one that’s based on a sensitive understanding of other people. Throughout Ender’s life, he’s been controlled and manipulated by governments that push him to be violent and attack those unlike him. In his new world, Ender hopes to pioneer a new kind of authority that rejects the fear, violence, and strict control of Earth’s rulers.

Control, Manipulation, and Authority ThemeTracker

Control, Manipulation, and Authority Quotes in Ender’s Game

“So what do we do? Surround him with enemies all the time?” “If we have to.” “I thought you said you liked this kid.” “If the Buggers get him, they’ll make me look like his favorite uncle.” “All right. We’re saving the world, after all. Take him.”

“They look at you and see you as a badge of pride, because they were able to circumvent the law and have a Third. But you’re also a badge of cowardice, because they dare not go further and practice the noncompliance they still feel is right.”

“I won’t lie now,” said Graff. “My job isn’t to be friends. My job is to produce the best soldiers in the world. In the whole history of the world. We need a Napoleon. An Alexander.”

He could not cry. There was no chance that he would be treated with compassion. Dap was not Mother. Any sign of weakness would tell the Stilsons and the Peters that this boy could be broken.

“Ender Wiggin is ten times smarter and stronger than I am. What I’m doing to him will bring out his genius. If I had to go through it myself, it would crush me.”

“There is no war, and they’re just screwing around with us.” “But why?” “Because as long as people are afraid of the Buggers, the IF can stay in power.”

“When the Bugger wars are over, all that power will vanish, because it’s all built on fear of the Buggers. And suddenly we’ll look around and discover that all the old alliances are gone, dead and gone, except one, the Warsaw Pact. And it’ll be the dollar against five million lasers.”

Ender wanted to undo his taunting of the boy, wanted to tell the others that the little one needed their help and friendship more than anyone else. But of course Ender couldn’t do that. Not on the first day. On the first day even his mistakes had to look like part of a brilliant plan.

“They need us, that’s why.” Bean sat down on the floor and stared at Ender’s feet. “Because they need somebody to beat the Buggers. That’s the only thing they care about.” “It’s important that you know that, Bean. Because most boys in this school think the game is important for itself—but it isn’t. It’s only important because it helps them find kids who might grow up to be real commanders, in the real war. But as for the game, screw that.”

“We got the judges to agree that the prosecution had to prove beyond doubt that Ender would have won the war without the training we gave him. After then it was simple. The exigencies of war.” “Anyway, Graff, it was a great relief to us. I know we quarreled, and I know the prosecution used tapes of our conversation against you. But by then I knew that you were right, and I offered to testify for you.”

Ender's Game

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Essays on Ender's Game

Exploring essay topics for ender's game.

Ender's Game is a thought-provoking and influential book that has sparked discussions and debate since its publication. Writing an essay about Ender's Game can help you delve deeper into its themes, characters, and messages. It's an opportunity to express your thoughts and opinions about the book and its impact on readers.

When choosing a topic for your Ender's Game essay, consider the themes and messages that resonate with you. You could explore the theme of leadership, the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, or the impact of war on young minds. The key is to choose a topic that you are passionate about and that allows you to express your unique perspective on the book.

Crafting Your Ender's Game Essay

For an argumentative essay about Ender's Game, you could explore topics such as the ethical implications of child soldiers, the use of manipulation and deception in warfare, or the role of empathy in leadership. These topics provide ample opportunity for debate and discussion, allowing you to present a strong argument backed by evidence from the book.

A cause and effect essay on Ender's Game could focus on the consequences of Ender's actions, the effects of isolation and pressure on young minds, or the impact of technology on warfare. These topics allow you to explore the interconnectedness of events and decisions in the book and their far-reaching effects.

An opinion essay on Ender's Game could delve into your personal interpretation of the book's themes, characters, and events. You could discuss your favorite character, the most impactful moment in the story, or your overall impression of the book. This type of essay allows you to express your subjective viewpoint and connect with readers on a personal level.

If you prefer to write an informative essay, you could explore topics such as the history of the book's publication, the author's inspiration for writing Ender's Game, or the critical reception of the novel. An informative essay allows you to present factual information in an engaging and accessible way, providing valuable insights into the book and its context.

For example, a thesis statement for an essay on Ender's Game could be: "The ethical complexities of child soldiers in Ender's Game highlight the moral dilemmas faced by young leaders in times of war."

In the of your essay, you could set the stage by discussing the impact of Ender's Game on readers, the central themes of the book, or the relevance of the story in today's world.

In the of your essay, you could reflect on the lasting impact of Ender's Game, the lessons learned from the characters' experiences, or the broader implications of the book's messages. This will leave a lasting impression on your readers and tie together the key points of your essay.

Manipulation in "Ender's Game"

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Homophobic Side of "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Depiction of a compelling leader in ender’s game by orson scott card, shifting perspectives between games and reality in "ender’s game", maturity as a state of mind, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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The Theme of Big Government in "Ender’s Game" by Orson Scott Card

The theme of success in ender's game and the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian, humanity as an enemy of itself in "enders game".

Orson Scott Card

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Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story Essay

Introduction.

Ender’s Game is a sci-fi story where the protagonist is Ender Wiggin, who can save the world thanks to his creative, strategic skills. The protagonist studies at a particular school where students use simulation games for further advancement. Ender performs better; because of this, he faces cruelty, non-dualism, and betrayal from his colleagues. In addition, he begins to realize that even higher military leaders are lying to him. Thus, the three main themes of the book are games, relationships between adults and children, and ruthlessness.

The game is the central concept, and its theme is traced throughout the novel. Ender constantly goes through training and does not give much meaning to games, thinking this is part of the learning process. However, in the aftermath, the line between the game world and reality becomes less noticeable and significantly affects his health. As a result, Ender completely loses his sense of truth, and his last simulation turns out to be not just a game but the destruction of another race. This theme shows how much a person can fall into oblivion and lose a sense of reality.

The second topic is the relationship between adults and young students. The reader sees the opposition between the way of thinking of children and adults. Even though the latter tries to control the students, two children succeed in manipulating their teachers. Ender is different in that he does not want to dominate but falls under the manipulation of superiors who recognize his intelligence. Thus, children and adults in the book have almost no differences. They all have their own emotions and experiences, taking each other’s words seriously.

Finally, ruthlessness is an essential theme in the novel, which is overcome by compassion. Ender is treated ruthlessly by both his readers and some of his students. However, the military commanders justify their actions with the desire to save humanity, while the children envy the boy. Ultimately, compassion helps to break the vicious circle, and Ender tries to keep the remnants of the race he destroyed.

In conclusion, the novel raises such essential themes as the loss of reality, the relationship between adults and children, and cruelty. Ender is forced to play simulations that significantly affect his condition. In addition, he does not want to manipulate anyone, from which adults influence him. Finally, the protagonist constantly experiences the ruthlessness of both teachers and students and tries to atone for this with compassion.

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IvyPanda. (2024, February 19). Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story. https://ivypanda.com/essays/aspects-of-enders-game-a-sci-fi-story/

"Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story." IvyPanda , 19 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/aspects-of-enders-game-a-sci-fi-story/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story'. 19 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/aspects-of-enders-game-a-sci-fi-story/.

1. IvyPanda . "Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/aspects-of-enders-game-a-sci-fi-story/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Aspects of “Ender’s Game”: A Sci-Fi Story." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/aspects-of-enders-game-a-sci-fi-story/.

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