--Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card: Due Monday, August 24

1. The Hero Quest Pattern: Read the ditto on the classic pattern of the hero quest. As you read Ender’s Game, think about how each of the twelve steps in the pattern is reflected in the novel. Keep a typed reader’s log explaining how Ender’s Game follows the mythic pattern of the hero quest. You may work on your log as you read, or you may choose to complete the novel first and then examine the pattern. You must include supporting quotes in your analysis of each step. Format your paper as shown in the model for Step 1. You will start your logs with Step 2.

Step 1: Origin of the Hero Is Obscure or Mysterious
Although Ender’s birth is not obscure or mysterious, it does involve unusual circumstances. Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is born into a future world that is overpopulated. Families are limited to having only two children, but Ender is a “Third.” This is considered a derogatory term, but Ender’s family has been allowed to have an extra child because his older brother and sister have high IQs. “It was the government’s idea, they were the ones who authorized it – how else could a Third like Ender have got into school” (5)? While not directly stated, there is an inference that Ender may have been genetically altered to be a blend of his older siblings, both of whom had “flaws” that made them unacceptable for the government’s plans. Ender’s origin is mysterious or obscure because he should not have been born in this world and because it is not clear how much scientific interference has gone into shaping Ender into the person he is.

Please note: Step 1 is the shortest step because it involves the origin/birth of the character which occurs only at the beginning of the hero’s story. All other entries will be MUCHlonger than this model. Discuss how each step is developed throughout the novel by including and analyzing specific examples from the beginning, the middle and the end of the book. Most entries will beminimum¾ to a full page, single spaced. Better responses will be longer and more developed than the minimum requirements.

2. Vocabulary Development: As you read, keep a list of vocabulary words you find challenging. Record the word, the sentence in which it is found, and page number. Then, based on the context clues in the sentence, write what you think the word means. You should not look the word up in the dictionary. The purpose of this assignment is to focus on context clues for meaning. See the model on the vocabulary graphic organizer. We expect a minimum of ten words.

3. Write down five “real” questions you have about Ender’s Game. These should be higher level questions regarding events or characters in the test or issues brought up by the author. If you do not have any questions, list five things from the book you think are important for us to discuss as a class.

See attached sheets for the Hero Quest Pattern and Scoring Rubric (#1) and the Vocabulary Chart (#2). Type your questions (#3) on a separate sheet of paper.

The Hero Quest Pattern

An archetype is a pattern in literature that is repeated across time and across cultures. The archetype of the hero quest reaches back to our earliest storytellers. Stories which explore the journey or quest often follow a familiar pattern or framework, one which can be found in the literature of the ancient Greeks as well as in modern day literature and movies. As part of our thematic study of The Journey, we will explore the commonalities found in hero quests. "...There does seem to be a grand mythic pattern, a single story that is inescapable, no matter what its surface variations. Once you're introduced to its framework you'll find it everywhere repeated – on nightly television, in countless movies, novels, even (andespecially) comic books. We share with everyone on earth a highly charged reaction tohero tales." - Peter Stillman, Introduction to Myth

The following twelve steps regularly occur in hero quest stories. As you read Ender’s Game, look for examples of Steps 2-12. They can occur in any order and there often is more than one example in a story that connects to each step. (See directions and model for response logs on the previous page.)

Step # The Archetypal Pattern Examples of the Pattern in Stories/Myths

Step 1 / Heroes are often of obscure or mysterious origin. / Pinocchio begins life as a puppet. Superman is an infant survivor from the plant Krypton.
Step 2 / Heroes are neither fools nor invincible. / Achilles’ mother dips him in the River Styx to make him invincible, but he is still vulnerable on his heal where she held him; Odysseus defeats the Trojans—not through strength alone—but by using his intelligence todevise the plan of the Trojan horse.
Step 3 / The hero's way isn't always direct or clear to him/her. / Dorothy knows she should follow the yellow brick road but does not know what dangers she will face along the way.
Step 4 / The hero has a goal or goals. (Sometimes, the hero’s goal changes during the course of the story.) / Knights of the Round Table search for the holy grail; Dorothy wants to find her way home.
Step 5 / The hero's way is beset with dangers, loneliness, and temptation. / Frodo is hunted by the ring wraiths; Robin Hood yearns for Maid Marian; Luke Skywalker is tempted by the power of the force.
Step 6 / In many versions of the quest tale, the hero is accompanied by friends, servants, or disciples. / Robin Hood has his merry men; Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO accompany Luke Skywalker
Step 7 / The hero has a guide or guides. / Ben Kenobi and Yoda from Star Wars; Gandalf from theLord of the Ringstrilogy
Step 8 / The hero descends into darkness. (This step can be literal—the hero going down into a dark place—and/or it can be figurative—the darkest, lowest moment of the hero’s life.) / InSpider-Man 3, Peter Parker grapples with his own dark thoughts of revenge; Bruce Wayne descends into the BatCave when he receives a call for help; Odysseus visits the Land of the Dead.
Step 9 / The hero is not the same after emerging from the darkness of the descent. (This change can be either positive or negative.) / Bruce Wayne changes into Batman when he emerges from darkness; Luke finally becomes a Jedi knight when he uses the positive aspects of the force to overcome the evil emperor.
Step 10 / What the hero seeks is symbolic of what he actually finds. For example, a sacred object might really represent growth and understanding. / The holy grail in Arthurian Legend represents both the cup of plenty and also spiritual salvation. The destruction of the ring in Lord of the Rings represents the defeat of greed, corruption, and evil.
Step 11 / The hero suffers a wound—which can be physical, spiritual, emotional or psychological. / Frodo is stabbed by the ring wraiths; King Arthur is betrayed by his wife and his best friend; Luke Skywalker loses his hand.
Step 12 / Mythological heroes tend to be males, yet women often represent the "totality of all that can be known," in other words, wisdom. / Athena is the “grey eyed goddess of wisdom” from Greek mythology. Glinda is the good witch of the North from The Wizard of Oz

Ender’s Game Hero LogName ______

Scoring Rubric

Turn this scoring rubric in with your Ender’s Game work.

Exceptional Achievement: Journal entries exhibit all or most of the following characteristics:

  • all entries exhibit a high level of thought and preparation
  • extended discussion of ideas showing insightful and perceptive analysis
  • elaboration of ideas with specific, well-developed examples and aptly chosen supporting quotes from the text
  • a thorough discussion of how each of the 12 steps of the hero cycle is developed throughout the novel.
  • few or no errors in grammar and usage

Commendable Achievement: Journal entries exhibit all or most of the following characteristics:

  • most entries exhibit a high level of thought and preparation; some may show less thought
  • adequate discussion of the ideas showing some analysis
  • inclusion of some specific examples; may include some quotes from the text but these may not be well explained
  • an adequate discussion of how each of the 12 steps of the hero cycle is developed in the book
  • minor errors in grammar and punctuation do not impede reader

Minimal Achievement: Journal entries exhibit several of the following characteristics:

  • few entries exhibit a high level of thought and preparation; entries may seem rushed; some steps may be missing or inadequately developed
  • little discussion of the ideas; surface-level thinking only
  • few specific examples; few or no quotes from the text; quotes may lack explanation
  • may focus on only the first occurrence of each step in the novel
  • errors in grammar and usage may be distracting

Ender’s GameName ______

Vocabulary in Context

Directions: On the chart below, record the challenging vocabulary you encounter along with the context clue sentence in which it appears. Then based on the context clues from the text, guess the meaning of the word and record it on the chart. Do not look the word up in the dictionary. You will not be marked wrong for inaccurate guesses.

Word and Page # / Context Clue Sentence from Text / Meaning
malleable (1) / “And there are doubts about him. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will.” / Easily bent or swayed
Word and Page # / Context Clue Sentence from Text / Meaning