Everyday decisions hold the ability to shape our world and greatly influence our lives. When we make choices, we draw upon our prior knowledge to determine the best possible decision. In Orson Scott Card’s book Ender’s Game, the characters not only establish their life purpose but also drive the plot through emotions, feelings, themes, ideas, and morals.
Ender Wiggin, the protagonist, was born in a time when population restriction laws were in effect. The people of the time were only permitted to have two children. However, an exceptionally intelligent couple managed to have two children who both met the government’s requirements for a military commander. As a result, Ender’s family was granted permission to have a third child, who was named Ender Wiggin. Unfortunately, Ender became a target for bullying by a boy named Stilson, who the family believed was unworthy of existence.
At the end of the school day, Stilson’s gang confronts Ender and threatens to beat him up once the hallways empty. In response, Ender brutally attacks Stilson, who is older, bigger, and heavier. Ender kicks Stilson in his face, ribs, and groin while he is down, despite Stilson’s inability to fight back. There are three children in this family who have different personalities: Peter, the eldest, is brutal, angry, and remorseless; Valentine, the second child, is sweet, compassionate, and hopeful; Ender, the youngest, feels torn as he possesses both brutal tendencies like Peter and compassionate qualities like Valentine.
The following day, Colonel Graff from the International Fleet (also known as I.F., Earth’s government and army against the Buggers) arrives to question Ender about the altercation with Stilson. Ender clarifies that he initially defended himself and continued kicking as he desired to win all subsequent fights and be left alone. (Chapter 3, pg 19) Consequently, Ender receives an invitation to join the Battle School, a prestigious institution that trains young individuals to become future army commanders.
Ender’s parents had given their consent for him to attend Battle School as soon as he was born, since being a Third child is illegal in this future society unless granted a government exemption. As Graff clarifies, “Peter was exceptionally talented. We requested your parents to have a daughter next – which they planned on doing anyway – hoping that Valentine would possess a similar prowess, albeit with less aggression. However, she turned out to be too docile. Hence, we enlisted you.” (Chapter 3, pg 24). Ender’s paramount motivation to leave stems from the fear of Peter causing harm to him.
Ender’s only reason to decline the offer is because of Valentine. However, Graff is fully aware of these factors and even acknowledges them. While Ender’s parents may miss him, they will eventually move on. Peter, on the other hand, will not miss Ender, and only Valentine will consistently think of him in the following years. Impressed by Graff’s honesty, Ender starts to feel more at ease. Despite his reluctance, Ender ultimately decides to go, acknowledging that it is his purpose in life: “It was what I was born for, isn’t it? If I don’t go, why am I alive?”. However, Graff dismisses this and responds with “Not good enough.” Ender expresses his unwillingness by saying “I don’t want to go, but I will.” (Chapter 3, pg 26).
Graff is in charge of the Battle School and wastes no time lecturing the launch group of twenty boys about Ender’s exceptional mind and its worthiness to be trained at school. As soon as Graff leaves the room, the boys begin to target Ender due to Graff’s words. One of them repeatedly pokes Ender in the head, but Ender remains patient and calculates when the next blow will come. He then breaks the arm of his assailant. The boy who broke his arm, Bernard, becomes Ender’s latest tormentor. Finally, the students are introduced to the battle room for the first time.
They wear rigid flashy suits and possess laser guns that resemble glass. Ender starts to fly around and experiment with the suit. He notices that pulling the trigger on the gun causes a beam of light to illuminate the floor. Ender and his two new friends, Shen and Bernard, gather their closest companions and launch an attack on the other sixteen members of the team. Later that day, Ender’s character faces a choice between two drinks. If he selects correctly, he can proceed to “Fairyland.” However, the contest is rigged because both drinks result in his death, rendering it impossible to win. The character’s demise is always gruesome, and no matter how hard Ender tries, the game always comes to an end. This time, Ender becomes fed up and decides not to abide by the rules. His character overturns the drinks and viciously gouges into the eye of the Giant, toppling him and thus ending his life. Ender experiences a mix of excitement and repulsion. He thinks to himself, “Even when I play, I am a murderer. Peter would approve of me.” Subsequently, the game shuts down, and Ender is compelled to report to his new residence. It quickly becomes apparent to him that Petra is viewed as an outcast within the group. As the only girl in the army (and one of the few at Battle School), she frequently voices her disapproval of Bonzo’s actions. Ender discovers that Bonzo imposes different rules for Petra compared to those for the boys.
Ender already has a low opinion of Bonzo. Colonel Graff informs Major Anderson that Ender is the chosen one, emphasizing his belief in Ender’s ability to save the world from the Buggers. Ender joins Rat Army and meets Rose de Nose, the unkempt and laid-back commander of the Rat army. Later, Ender is assigned to Dink Meeker as his leader. Dink is quiet and intelligent, fully aware of his significance to Rat Army’s success. Dink advises Ender with a useful reminder, “Listen, Ender, commanders have as much authority as you allow them to have.”
The more you obey, the more power they have over you. “Chapter 8, pg 102.”
A new army, called Dragon, is formed for Ender, making him the youngest commander in history. This army is made up of rejects from other armies.
Graff tells Ender that he cannot practice with his extra practice group nor can he make any trades. The army is solely his.
In the battle room, Ender realizes how inexperienced his army is. His first priority is to reorient the students so that they always perceive the enemy’s gate as being down.
When he commands the students to go to the north wall, only Bean appears comfortable with it. Alai is now considered an adversary in the game and a stranger outside of it. This infuriates Ender. “And fueled by that fury, he resolved that he possessed enough strength to overcome his adversaries—the teachers.” The teachers provided Badger with an advantage, allowing members of the army who were not completely immobilized to resume fighting after a certain period of time. Dragon ultimately emerged victorious. Badger’s commander, Pol Slattery, treats Ender with admiration. Ender goes to shower alone and is unexpectedly ambushed by seven boys, led by Bernard and Bonzo.
Ender, realizing that he won’t be able to escape using words, cleverly provokes Bonzo by targeting his most vulnerable spot, his honor. This provocation leads Bonzo to attack Ender in the shower, where they engage in a fight. Despite having soap on his body, Ender defeats Bonzo by utilizing the soap, steam from the hot showers, and taking advantage of Bonzo’s honor. Similar to Stilson’s defeat, Bonzo is convincingly and brutally defeated. Subsequently, Ender prepares for the impending battle against the Buggers. The initial battles are relatively straightforward but progressively become more challenging, as Ender anticipates that the enemy will learn from their encounters.
Battles occur constantly, with little sleep, and Ender is expected to perform his best. As a result, he feels increasingly isolated. Ender becomes an unwavering trainer for his army, causing his friendships to dissolve into a command structure that further isolates him. In the end, Ender triumphs over the Buggers and receives a hug from Graff as well as congratulations from Mazer.
“‘You beat them, and it’s all over.’ All over. Beat them. Ender didn’t understand… ‘Ender, you never played me… This was the Third Invasion… the battles were real and the only enemies you fought were the buggers.” Chapter 14, pg 296.
This book conveys a lesson on the importance of selfishness when it comes to knowledge. Our previous knowledge plays a crucial role in making choices. In Ender’s case, he tackled problems head-on and utilized what he believed to be the best solution based on his earlier isolation experiences where he developed strategies to overcome it.
