Ho fellow gamers...just a few things to ponder upon before we meet (hopefully) in the sunshine tomorrow afternoon.
First, what are your thoughts on Card's use of "genius" children? Do you think he accurately portrayed their emotions and insecurities? And is it their lot in life to always be the "hope" of humanity?
Secondly, Ender states that he just wants a "fair" fight. What does he mean and does this ever happen?
The beginning of the book starts off with someone (Graff?) saying, "I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one..." Since the book is written in a slighted modified third person, we are privy to a lot of Ender's emotions. Did you feel the same as Graff - that he had to be the one. Did you want Ender to succeed? And were you surprised/disgusted/satisfied by Ender's actions in the end?
Also, for the kids - is there ever a way not to participate in "games?" What about Locke and Demosthenes?
Finally, in the author's definitive edition, Card writes, "I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth: The mythic truth about human nature in general, the particular truth about those life communities that define our own identity, and the most specific truth of all: our own self-story. Fiction, because it is not about somebody who actually lived in the real world, always has the possibility of being about ourself." As you read Ender's Game, did you make a self-discovery of any kind? Did any one character or line make you rethink a generality about human nature?
As always, looking forward to a lively conversation! See you at the park!
First, what are your thoughts on Card's use of "genius" children? Do you think he accurately portrayed their emotions and insecurities? And is it their lot in life to always be the "hope" of humanity?
Secondly, Ender states that he just wants a "fair" fight. What does he mean and does this ever happen?
The beginning of the book starts off with someone (Graff?) saying, "I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one..." Since the book is written in a slighted modified third person, we are privy to a lot of Ender's emotions. Did you feel the same as Graff - that he had to be the one. Did you want Ender to succeed? And were you surprised/disgusted/satisfied by Ender's actions in the end?
Also, for the kids - is there ever a way not to participate in "games?" What about Locke and Demosthenes?
Finally, in the author's definitive edition, Card writes, "I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth: The mythic truth about human nature in general, the particular truth about those life communities that define our own identity, and the most specific truth of all: our own self-story. Fiction, because it is not about somebody who actually lived in the real world, always has the possibility of being about ourself." As you read Ender's Game, did you make a self-discovery of any kind? Did any one character or line make you rethink a generality about human nature?
As always, looking forward to a lively conversation! See you at the park!
