ENDER’S GAME QUESTIONS - mswrightreads



ENDER’S GAME QUESTIONS

You do not need to complete these questions, however you should consider them; they are primarily to help you critically analyze the novel and to help you if you are stuck and don’t know what to write your journal entries about.

SET ONE

Questions by Chapter

Chapters 1-3

1. What does the monitor do? Would Ender have taken the same action to defend himself in chapter 1 if he’d still had it?

2. What attitude motivates the adults to lie to Ender?

3. Was Peter joking when he threatened Ender and Valentine? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

4. Why is Peter’s behavior at the end of chapter 2 so completely different from the rest of the chapter?

5. Why does Ender think that he is “just like Peter”?

6. Why is Peter jealous of Ender?

7. Explain what it seems to mean for Ender to be born a "Third". Show whether this is a negative or positive fact to: his parents, his brother, Peter, his sister, Valentine, and his classmates. What does this tell you about society on Earth?

8. What did Graff mean about evolution working against girls? (p.24)

9. Why is Ender suited to be an officer?

Chapters 4-6

1. Ender is not an ordinary six-year-old. What’s different about him? Is everyone’s Battle School experience like his?

2. Why does Ender like Graff at first? Why does Graff single him out?

3. Why is Ender so isolated? Is it all due to Graff? What is planned for him?

4. Why does Ender think that the security system on his desk is deliberately easy to break?

5. What are the buggers? What do you know about them at this point in the story?

6. Why does Ender keep trying to get past the Giant’s Drink in his game?

7. We are told that being homesick is not acceptable, because the boys leaving are supposed to be seen as "heroes". Does this mean that "heroes" are not supposed to have the same feelings as other people or be beyond them? Explain your answer.

8. Competition and praising Ender's skills are meant to set him apart from the others. For what purpose is this being done and what are the possible types of consequences of these actions?

9. We are told Ender can have friends but not parents. Do you think the outcome of this attitude will be good for Ender or not? What happens to children who do not have parents or good parental role models?

10. Ender works hard to express his feelings in private and not show homesickness in front of any other person. Is it healthy for him or not? What is positive and what is negative about showing feelings? What is positive and what is negative about not showing feelings?

11. List the different coping mechanisms (ways of dealing with difficulties) Ender shows. For each one describe whether the overall result of each is helpful or harmful to Ender.

12. Ender sets up a file for a nonexistent student called God. Is this Orson Scott Card's comment on the personality and behavior of God in religion or not? Explain your answer.

13. How do Ender and his new friends deal with prejudice? Is it successful or not and why?

Chapters 7-9

1. Why does Ender get transferred when he does?

2. If Ender has never “just lived,” why does he want to? How do you suppose he knows what that is?

3. How and why does Ender disobey Bonzo’s orders in the battleroom? What important discovery does he make?

4. Read the conversation between Ender and Dink on pp. 120-121. What do you think of Dink’s point of view? Do you think he’s right?

5. What does the status of Russia as described on p. 136 say about when this book was written?

6. The people of Russia are described more than once in the book as “helots”. What does this word mean and why do the characters use it in reference to the Russians?

7. Why is the fantasy game so important to Ender?

8. On pp. 165-66, read Ender’s reaction to Val’s letter. Do you think that Graff predicted this reaction?

9. We learn that there is a question of whether it is OK to sacrifice the well-being of a child in order to save the world. What exactly is Ender having to sacrifice? How do you think he is being trained to save the world?

10. We see that there are some traces or left- over signs of religion and "holiness". What are these? Why have they become forbidden? What does it mean that some still secretly practice these signs despite their being illegal or forbidden?

11. How does Ender react to conflicts? What are his reactions? How would you react to the same events? Is what you would do different from what you would like to do?

Chapters 10-12

1. Read Ender’s internal monologue on p. 184. Does it remind you of someone else in the story and how they think? Who and why?

2. The title of chapter 11 is “Veni Vidi Vici,” which is Latin for “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Why is the chapter titled this?

3. Why do you think the details of Mazer’s strategy are omitted in the invasion videos?

4. Why is the fight with Bonzo in chapter 12 important?

Chapters 13-15

1. On p. 253, Val thinks, “Perhaps it’s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.” How does this apply to Val, and to other characters in the story?

2. In chapter 13, how has Ender changed? How much of his personality as shown in this chapter was there all along?

3. Why does Ender want Peter to love him?

4. Why is the attack on the buggers being carried out the way it’s described in chapter 13?

5. Is Graff Ender’s friend? Do you think he’s lying in chapter 13 about how the war started?

6. What is different about Ender’s new teacher in chapter 14?

7. Why do you think Mazer’s attack worked? What does it say about the buggers?

8. What do you think of the conversation that opens chapter 15? Do the ends justify the means?

9. Read what Val says on p. 345 about control. Do you agree? Why or why not?

10. Why do you think the book ends the way it does?

SET TWO

1. What is the dialogue opening each chapter? Who are these people and why are they discussing Ender? Does their relationship change during the story?

2. What is the state of religion in this society? Why does it matter to the story? What impact does it have on the ending?

3. What does it say about Ender that he consistently finds the flaw in his commanders’ strategies?

4. What can you tell about this society based on the fact that it has produced a place like the Battle School?

5. Why is this novel titled Ender’s Game?

6. Is Ender is responsible for his actions in concluding the game. Is he a hero or a monster? Can either term apply to him? Why or why not?

7. Why do Ender’s friendships fade as his authority grows?

8. Do you agree with Ender’s mother or father about whether to play war games? Is it a good idea to let children have toy guns? Why?

9. What makes Peter’s threats toward Ender and Valentine so frightening?

10. One of the speakers at the beginning of chapter 3 says, “the sister is our weak link. He really loves her.” Why might Valentine’s love threaten the mission? Does love necessarily imply weakness? State your position in a persuasive paragraph.

11. What conclusions can you draw about a society in which having too many children is “criminal” and religion is hidden?

12. What is the "just living"? Is it true that Ender has never done this? How would you feel if you were he?

13. Why Ender's attitude grow stronger as the book goes on?

14. What is the difference between "hot" and "cold" anger as mentioned in the book? Have you experienced both? If so, how?

15. Why have people abandoned the practice of celebrating birthdays? What would your life be like if your birthday were forgotten or ignored or if it is so now?

16. Explain the meaning of the nightmare Ender experiences.

17. Ender thinks out his evaluation of Bonzo's leadership qualities (or lack of them). Do you think the other boys will agree with Ender's thinking or do you think this is just Ender's interpretation? Explain your answer.

18. This book was published in 1985. It predicts the spread of what technology-based phenomenon? Have things worked out as it predicted?

19. Define the importance and role of the following themes in Ender’s Game:

-The loss of childhood

-The importance of friendship

-The contrast between perception and reality

-The struggle between good and evil

-The cost of war

-Lack of communication leads to problems.

-Human nature is to destroy that which we do not understand.

-Survival of the fittest.

-Humans have a competitive nature.

-People dislike those who excel.

-Adults have strange attitudes towards children.

-Ignorance is bliss.

-People wear identities and unconsciously become them.

-People have a killer instinct when threatened.

-The enemy is the only real teacher.

-Heroes come in all sizes.

The logic behind censorship.

-The reasons for genetic engineering.

SET THREE

1. How are lies more dependable than the truth?

2. Discuss government control of family planning decisions.

3. Compare and contrast the three children in this chapter to children of today.

4. Discuss Ender’s actions in the fight with Stilson.

5. Discuss the relationship between Ender and Peter.

6. What makes the characters interesting?

7. In a book with the main character’s name in the title, why is the second chapter about his brother?

8. What is the significance of “the government” speaking at the start of every chapter?

9. Discuss Valentine’s role between Ender and Peter?

10. Predict Valentine’s future role?

11. Discuss Ender’s ability to be empathetic towards the Buggers.

12. Ender’s parents could choose the sex of their second child. What are the implications of genetic engineering?

13. Discuss the relationship between Ender, his family, and the government.

14. Discuss the role of “duty” in people’s lives.

15. Discuss the idea of heroes. Who is a hero? What do we expect from our heroes?

16. Why do people dislike, hold grudges against or even hate those who excel and receive praise? Discuss “survival of the fittest”.

17. Why can Ender have friends but not parents?

18. Why does Ender have to be isolated?

19. Why do people bully? Why do others follow bullies?

20. Does the story seem realistic? Do the characters seem realistic? Why or why not?

21. Why does Ender take on the older boys on the computer games?

22. Why is unacceptable to be defeated by someone “lower” than you?

23. Why is younger considered lower?

24. What do today’s video games teach children? What is harmful? What is beneficial?

25. What is the point of having to choose between your own death, and killing someone else?

26. Are there “normal” children?

27. What is “strange” about Ender and his friends?

28. What makes a good leader?

29. Why do the children turn into vicious wolves attacking Ender?

30. Why does Bonzo hate Ender’s kindness so much?

31. Will anything become of Bonzo’s hatred for Ender?

32. What does Ender think of valuable possessions?

33. Do children play games fairly?

34. What are anti-Semites?

35. Where does their hatred come from?

36. Why do racism and prejudice continue to thrive?

37. Does school destroy children like Battle School does in the novel?

38. What is significant about Peter and his actions?

39. Why is Peter so dangerous?

40. Why does Valentine prefer him to others?

41. What does it mean to have control? Can control be a gift?

42. Can parents be manipulated?

43. Why does Peter believe the world will self-destruct after the threat of the Buggers is over?

44. Do people need crises to connect them to others?

45. Discuss the quote: ““Is it some law of human nature that you inevitably become whatever your first commander was?”” Is this true of parenting? Will you inevitably become your parents?

46. Are people destined to repeat past behaviors and experiences? How can we “break the cycle”?

47. What makes a good soldier?

48. What events and trait make you feel like you know Ender?

49. How do you feel about Ender?

50. Discuss this quote: “But I fear that I also underestimate the stupidity of the rest of mankind. Are we absolutely sure that we ought to win this war?

51. What ways do adults push children? Is it for the child’s good or for the adult’s? Why?

52. Why did they not cheer for Ender?

53. Ender embarrasses Bonzo after their battle. Why?

54. What will happen between Ender and Bonzo?

55. How had Ender developed trust in his army in only 4 weeks?

56. What does it mean to “fight with honor”?

57. Why does Bean not understand the question:

58. What do you want to be when you grow up?”

59. Discuss this quote: “Ender Wiggin isn’t a killer. He just wins - thoroughly.”

60. What makes a place home?

61. Do Valentine’s parents know what is going on?

62. Are we “what we remember”?

63. Discuss Ender’s thoughts, understandings, and action when dealing with an enemy. Why is he so troubled?

64. How has Peter become like Ender, and vice versa?

65. Discuss the paragraph: “The moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him…” (p.238)

66. Valentine says that the curse of the Wiggin children is intelligence. Is intelligence a curse?

67. What is the purpose of the ansible? Why is it important?

68. Is it possible the Buggers will not attack?

69. Why is Graff suddenly so concerned about Ender’s well being?

70. Did Mazer Rackham really ever teach Ender anything? Who did?

71. Why was it important to fight with his friends?

72. Was Ender too young to do what was expected of him? Emotionally?

73. Why is it ironic that Petra thinks they will have to go to school on earth?

74. What are they prepared to do? What should they be doing?

75. Are Mazer and Graff guilty of a crime? What is it?

76. What roles are teenagers expected to fill in today’s society?

77. Do you think Ender was guilty of murder in the deaths of Stilson and Bonzo?

78. How was Ender a pawn? In what game?

79. Why does Ender take a child with him to explore for a new colony?

80. What do we learn about communication and understanding form the novel?

81. How can we end racism and prejudice?

82. Why is the cocoon a symbol of peace?

SET FOUR

1. What is morality? Good? Bad?

2. How and why do we come to these definitions?

3. Are everyone’s definitions the same? Why or why not?

4. Are these definitions set in stone? What could make them change over time?

5. In a time of crisis (i.e., war), is it okay to bend, change or go against these definitions?

6. Is an action justifiable if it harms the individual but contributes to the greater good? When and how do we draw that line?

7. How can we better understand the moral codes we put into practice in our own lives, and the moral codes of others?

8. Identify the moral dilemmas in Ender’s Game and describe what makes them so complex.

9. How can culture, upbringing, surroundings and situations affect our ideas of right and wrong? Can two opposing ideas be “right?” How do we reconcile them? Why do you think certain elements of Ender’s Game are right or wrong, and why Orson Scott Card might be presenting them in such a way - what do these judgments say about us? Our society?

10. How does the book show that ideas of “good” and “bad” can be rationalized and are dependent on a character’s point of view and situation?

11. How does a person’s situation affect his judgment of right and wrong? Do right and wrong look different in times of crisis than they do in everyday life? Why? Is it “right” to put a group’s (state’s, nation’s, race’s) well-being over that of another group or individual? Is one morally wrong act acceptable if it leads to a greater good?

12. Critics and parents have denounced Ender’s Game as promoting child abuse - do you agree? Is it child abuse to recruit children as soldiers - thus robbing them of a “normal” childhood? What if they are needed by the war effort - does well-being of some children trump the needs of a nation? Why are the recruits in Ender’s Game children? Why are children recruited as soldiers in real life? How are the children at battle school similar to real-life child soldiers? Can child soldiers be considered guilty of war crimes? If they are behaving like adults (killing, ordering each other around, lacking adult oversight), can child soldiers (in the novel and in real life) be considered children? [Child soldiers exist in real life and often have no say in their actions - this creates many moral dilemmas for them as well as for governments and prosecutors who must decide whether their offenses are punishable.

13. Can we make a moral distinction between a person’s desires/intentions and their actions? In other words, if a person wishes to cause harm but does not, is he more moral than someone who wishes to remain peaceful but causes harm? What about causing harm in self-defense?

14. How do characters in the novel rationalize their decisions? Are they “massaging the truth” in anyway to suit their needs? Why might they do this?

15. Do we go through this same rationalization process in our lives? How do people construct arguments to defend their moral choices?

16. Why should we try to understand others’ perspectives on moral issues?

17. How does empathy affect the decisions we make? How does it affect Ender’s actions in the book?

SET FIVE

1. What effect does the setting have on the mood of the novel? How is it significant that so much of the story takes place off of Earth?

2. Compare and contrast the ways in which the children at Battle School act like children on Earth. To what extent does the novel correctly reflect the behavior and thoughts of children?

3. How did Card draw on actual historical events in the novel and what is the overall effect of having these in the novel?

4. Use either Locke’s or Demosthenes’ reasoning to argue in favor or against one of the major topics in the book (what should be done about the political division on Earth, population restriction laws, etc). [Look up the historical Locke and Demosthenes, and compare them to the personae adopted by Peter and Valentine. Discuss why they chose those names as pseudonyms.]

5. Compare and contrast Ender and Peter. Is there as much a difference between them as Valentine insists there is?

6. Discuss how the traditional rites accompanying a death in a particular religion are similar or different to those of Speaker for the Dead.

7. How is point of view in the novel used to control the reader’s reaction to events? How would Ender, the buggers, or other characters be seen from another’s perspective?

8. Research the effects of warfare on children. Do you see parallels between these and the Battle School students in the novel?

SET FIVE

1. Is childhood a right? Does a person robbed of a "normal" childhood have any possibility of stability as an adult? Does Ender have any chance of living "happily ever after"?

2. The Buggers communicate telepathically using no identifiable external means of communication. Was it inevitable that war would have to occur when two sentient species met but were unable to communicate?

3. Card has stated that "children are a perpetual, self-renewing underclass, helpless to escape from the decisions of adults until they become adults themselves." Does Ender's Game prove or disprove this opinion?

4. The government in Ender's world plays a huge role in reproductive decisions, imposing financial penalties and social stigma on families who have more than two children but exerting pressure on specific families who show great generic potential to have a "third" like Ender. Is government ever justified in involving itself in family planning decisions? Why or why not?

5. Is genocide, or in the case of Ender's Game where an entire alien race is annihilated, xenocide, ever justified? Was the xenocide of the buggers inevitable?

6. Ender's Game has often been cited as a good book to read by readers who are not fans of science fiction. Why does it appeal to both fans of science fiction and those who do not usually read science fiction?

7. Peter appears to be the personification of evil, but as Locke, acts as a good person. How does Card treat the concept of good versus evil in Ender's Game?

8. In their thoughts, speech, and actions Card describes children in terms not usually attributed to children. In the introduction to Ender's Game he states that he never felt like a child. "I felt like a person all along -- the same person that I am today. I never felt that my emotions and desires were somehow less real than an adult's emotions and desires." Do contemporary teens feel this same way? Do only gifted children feel this way or is it a universal feeling?

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