Topic > Analysis of the main messages in "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Orson Scott Card's novel, Ender's Game, parallels the concept of the Cold War that developed immediately after World War II, which was a state of political hostility. New technologies also arose in the 1980s, such as the world's first and only fleet of space planes, which raised fears that new technologies would one day overwhelm humanity. As the science fiction novel begins, it is set in a future dystopia where rival governments fight not only for control of the Earth, but for the survival of the human race. Ender, a well-known mastermind, has the ability to analyze specific situations and quickly find a solution. He is suggested as the only prospect for humanity as he is the only person with the intellect to fight the bastards, the common enemy that civilians contain on Earth. Ender is bullied at Battle School because the school's leaders intend him to be isolated and feared. He earns respect by devising clever new strategies in battle games and by cracking security codes on his captors' computer files. The card demonstrates empathy as a defining characteristic used to understand the enemy and inspire loyalty within one's unit. Card is trying to let others know that there are few differences between children and adults. Children may be smaller and insignificant, but the intelligence they demonstrate can have a greater impact than the world can see. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, describes Enders' journey during his childhood at Battle School. Ender is telling Valentine why he hates himself. Although he is able to understand his enemies better than anyone, once Ender understands them, he demolishes them. Consumed by such immense empathy, when he comes to understand his unfavorable enemies Ender is able to appreciate them. Ender states: “The moment I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then at that same moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to truly understand someone, what they want, what they believe, and not love them as they love themselves." Love and hate are juxtaposed with each other to demonstrate how they are contrasted. When Ender crushes the bastards, he injures himself in the process. Ender tries to avoid having enemies, so as not to be forced to agonize anyone. Ender will admire even what appear to be his bitterest enemies when he recognizes them correctly. But due to the situations Ender has found himself in, he has no choice but to destroy those enemies. Adults constantly manipulate or control children, but it is not always that intense, as Peter and Valentine, Ender's older brothers, manage to dominate the world political system through their authority as adults. Ender, who can exert no dominion over anyone, is ruthlessly manipulated by adult figures, despite their knowledge of his superior intelligence. Graff states: “Human beings are free except when humanity needs them. Maybe humanity needs you. To do something. Maybe humanity needs me to find out what you're good for. We may both do despicable things, Ender, but if mankind survives, then we will be excellent tools." The tools symbolize the matter in which children are used by adults. Graff interprets for Ender the philosophy behind all their actions. But Ender is not aware of this at that moment, this is the same reason why adults will start to mold children again and again. Ender disagrees with thisidea, believes that people should be considered more than just tools, but nevertheless it is the prevailing ideology of popular government. Following this philosophy justifies carrying out horrible actions for the good of humanity. However, the question arises: does the end justify the means. Therefore, being able to manipulate and kill but also to create and help are an integral part of society and children must be taken seriously. On the other hand, ruthlessness is the human condition devoid of its humanity, and it is the danger that threatens total destruction. He who does not allow himself to be overwhelmed by empathy for others will lead the world towards the dismantling of humanity. Graff begins conversing with Ender about his theory as to why they are at war with the bastards. Graff describes to Ender that the bastards communicate through different matter than humans, and thinks that they most likely fail to understand that humans are thinking creatures. Ender is then forced to figure out why this barrier cannot be fixed. He expresses "'So the whole war is because we can't talk to each other.' "If the other can't tell you his story, you can never be sure he's not trying to kill you." "What if we left them alone?" "Ender, we didn't go to them first, they came to us had they wanted to leave us alone, they could have done so a hundred years ago, before the First Invasion. "Maybe they didn't know we were intelligent life. Maybe." We are thinking here of Plato's philosopher-kings, who would prefer not to hold power over a society but who would do so anyway, leading unhappy lives to keep the community as a whole functioning well enough to allow others to live successful lives. Graff says they can never be certain which alien species could ever truly leave them alone. However, Ender finds it difficult to understand how an intelligent alien species could be completely reluctant to have a rational discussion regarding war. Ironically, following the conversation Ender then takes on the task of eliminating the bastards. But the rest of human civilization comes to the conclusion that enemies are engaged in dangerous acts of war, although Ender will not stop at the philosophy of discussing the problems. Their compassion for the humans they killed and their grief over the war mean that they are human, and that is why Ender feels the need to act to support them and why he mourns the destruction of their race so deeply. While affection and affinity can be manipulated for brutal purposes, these qualities alone have much greater potential for excellence. People are constantly being mentally exploited, all the actions that can be taken determine the path they will choose to follow. Ender will never be able to live his own life because there is no such thing as living your life without the influence of others, especially since Ender is such an empathetic character. Valentine and Ender decide to leave together because at least once they get to those bastards, their world will finally be desolate. Ender states to Valentine, “I just want to make one thing clear. I won't come for you. I'm not going there to be governor or because I'm bored here. I go there because I know the Buggers better than any living soul, and maybe if I go I can understand them better. I stole their future; I can only start to pay it forward by seeing what I can learn from their past.” Ironically, Ender is going for Valentine in a way because he's trying to make sure humanity is no longer at war with the bastards, so he comes to their home to reinforce that humans are no threat to their kind, so he can try to give back some of what he has already taken from them. Looking for a better place to start one.