Ender’s Game Study Guide KEY
Chapter 1 – “Third”
- Orson Scott Card wrote Ender’s Game.
- Why is Ender at the doctor?
Today he is going to have his monitor taken out.
- Who is Peter? What do we learn about the way he treats Ender?
Peter is Ender’s older brother. He is extremely mean to Ender. - What does “Third” mean?
Ender is the third child. (This is odd because at this point in the future people are only allowed to have two children, and to have a third child is looked down upon. This is why he is made fun of.) - Why is Ender allowed to go to school with the other children?
The government has allowed him to go to school with the regular children. - How does Ender ensure that Stilson and others like him will not pick on him anymore?
He severely beats him up.
Chapter 2 – “Peter”
- What game do the children like to play?
Buggers and astronauts - Where does this game come from? Why do adults allow them to play it?
Many years ago (70 years) there was an attack on Earth by an alien race called the buggers. They were defeated in space war (thus, astronauts).
Adults allow it because they reason the buggers aren’t just going to disappear if we stop talking about them, and the children may as well be ready when they do. - Why was Ender authorized to be born?
Peter showed promise, but for some reason (he was too violent) the military didn’t want him, so they wanted to see if Ender would work. - What are the relationships between Peter, Valentine and Ender like?
Valentine protects Ender, and the two of them love each other. Peter is a bully to both of them, especially Ender.
Chapter 3 – “Graff”
- Why is Valentine described as a “weak link?”
Ender loves her more than anything, and because of that he may not be willing to part with her to go to Battle School.She may also end up being a distraction to him there. - What is the only military force that means anything anymore?
The I.F. (International Fleet) - Who is Graff? Why is he at Ender’s house?
Graff is commander of Battle School. He is there to take Ender to Battle School. - What do we learn was Ender’s final test?
Ender’s final test was to see what he would do when the monitor came off (how he handled the bullies on his own). - What consent was given in regard to Ender?
His parents were allowed to have him (a third) with the understanding that should he choose to go to Battle School, he will be property of the military. He may make the decision, but his parents have no say if he passes the tests. - What is Ender’s real name?
Andrew - How do Ender’s parents feel about him?
They love him because he is their son, but they also view him as a mark of shame that prevents them from assimilating into the norm. They both came from extreme religious backgrounds that they have vowed not to be like, but because of Ender, they are still looked down upon as different. - What was the hope when Ender was born? What was wrong with Peter and Valentine?
Peter was too violent to be of use, so the I.F. told Ender’s parents to choose a girl next. They had Valentine, but she was too meek. They sanctioned them to have one more child in the hopes that Ender would be the perfect mix of Peter and Valentine. - Who is Mazer Rackham? What did he do?
He is the hero whose small human fleet destroyed the huge bugger fleet in the First Invasion. - How does Ender feel about what he has been chosen for?
Answers vary – he is accepting, he is nervous; he will do it to save Valentine, etc.
Chapter 4 – “Launch”
- Why would Ender be disorientated before he even leaves?
(These answers may very – a good discussion point)
Ender’s world has just been turned upside down. In a matter of minutes he has learned that he is “the chosen one” to essentially save the world from the alien race they thought was no longer a threat. - Why were the boys not allowed to eat 24 hours before launch?
The disorientation can cause you to be sick and throw up. And since there is no gravity, they do not want the boys throwing up. - How does Graff cause Ender to be picked on?
Graff singles Ender out as the smartest kid there, and makes a point to set him up as better than the rest of the boys so that they will resent him. - What upsets Ender so much when he breaks the boy’s arm on the ship?
He feels like he is being just like Peter. He deliberately caused harm to another boy like Peter has always done.
Chapter 5 – “Games”
- Who is Dap?
Dap is the person in charge of the new recruits. He is their “mom,” and the only person there paid to be nice to them. - What does “icing out” mean?
getting kicked out of Battle School - How did Ender get his nickname? What does it mean?
Valentine gave him his nickname. It means “finisher” or “the last one” since he was the last child. - What did Ender do when Peter used to make him upset?
He would count doubles. - What does Ender silently thank Peter for his first night in?
the ability to hold in his pain and cry silent tears that no one can hear - What gives Ender his first boost of confidence?
He beats one of the older kids in a game in the game room. - What nickname does Bernard give Ender? Why?
Maladroit – it means clumsy or showing a lack of skill. Bernard and his crew purposefully trip Ender and push him, making him appear clumsy. - How does Ender secretly send messages to Shen?
He creates a fake student account with the name “God,” and sends messages that march around all of the boys’ desks. - What do the boys begin calling Bernard after Ender’s desk prank?
Butt-Watcher - How does Ender’s isolation end?
Shen comes to sit with Ender at dinner, then other boys join him. - Why does Card end the chapter, “The war was just beginning?” What do you predict is going to happen to Ender?
(These answers may very – a good discussion point)
What will the teacher thing about Ender having friends? What will Bernard think?
Chapter 6 – “The Giant’s Drink”
- What important information does Ender store away for future reference?
Bernard tenses up when he flies. This is what caused him to break his arm on the ship before. When you tense in null gravity, it just makes the impact twice as hard. - What happens when the boys get shot in the battleroom?
Their flashsuits freeze wherever they are hit. - What is the bridge that allows all the boys to no longer be divided?
Alai - What is the one game the Giant insists on playing?
a guessing game where Ender must choose between two shot glasses full of liquid
- Why does Ender believe the game is rigged?
No matter what glass he chooses, he always dies. - How does Ender defeat the Giant?
He kicks over the two glasses, jumps up to the giant’s face, and burrows through his eye.
- Where does Ender end up?
Fairyland - Once again, what upsets Ender even though he defeated the game?
He won the game, but he had to kill the giant to do so. He didn’t want to have to murder to win. He’s like Peter again.
Chapter 7 – “Salamander”
- What does Alai say to Ender when they part ways? Why is it so special for Ender?
Salaam – this is meaningful because Ali is sharing a part of himself with Ender that no one is supposed to know. Just like when Ender was little and his mother used to secretly pray over him, Ali shares with him that he too still holds onto some religious beliefs that are not talked about nowadays. - When Ender goes back to the Giant’s Drink, what happens to the children on the playground? What does it symbolize to Ender?
They turn into wolves and devour him. This can mean different things (Another good discussion point about symbolism). Perhaps he is seeing those around him who pretend to be his friends, but will stab him in the back later on? Maybe he realizes that the children at this school are not like normal children?Maybe it’s as simple as things not being as they seem? - What does Ender wish he could do that he’s never been able to do?
be a normal boy and just live - Who is the leader of Salamander army?
Bonzo Madrid - Who is Petra Arkanian? Why is she notable?
She is the only girl in Salamander Army. - Why does Ender wish she had not spoken to him?
She is an outcast, and it is obvious they do not like her there, so by speaking to him she has linked him with her; therefore, it may mean that they will treat him the same way. - Why does she bunk in the front? What is her strength?
She is the best sharpshooter. Bonzo is also afraid she might try to stir up a retaliation or mutiny against him, so he keeps her up front so he can monitor her. - What is giria?
the slang that the kids use at Battle School. It is like pidgin English.
- How does Ender view Bonzo’s strategies and formations?
He watches them as an enemy would, making note of his weaknesses and techniques. - What does Ender decide to do to get more practice?
He begins practicing with the launchies from his old group. - After Ender saves the army from a defeat, how does Bonzo repay him?
He trades him to another army then beats up on him. - What is Ender’s new army?
Rat Army - To ensure that no one will be able to get the better of him in the future, what does Ender do?
He enrolls himself in an Earth gravity personal combat class.
Chapter 8 – “Rat”
- What does Graff order Anderson to do to Ender’s army?
make some changes in the way the games are run so that Ender and his team are constantly at a disadvantage - Who is the commander of Rat Army?
Rose the Nose - What is the myth about Jews in the army?
Jewish commanders never lose a war - What is Rat Army’s nickname? Why?
The Kike Force – this is a pun on him being Jewish and also a pun on Mazer Rackahm’s force called The Strike Force - Whose platoon is Ender place in?
Dink Meeker - What is different about Dink’s toon?
He does not practice with the rest of the army. He does his own thing and Rose lets him. - How does the game change?
The boys are no longer able to take a few minutes in the corridor to size things up. - What does Ender learn to do that makes him wise?
He learns to listen to what people mean, rather than what they say. - How is Ender’s small troop able to beat the older boys in the Battle Room?
They all work together as a team whereas the older boys act all on their own. - What is printed on the medical report for the injured boys?
“Accidental Collision in Null G” - What does Ender realize from this?
The grown-up are not going to help him. In fact, they are allowing this abuse to go on. - How is Ender protected during further practices?
The other commanders send some older boys to watch out for them during practices.
Chapter 9 – “Locke and Demosthenes”
- How does Valentine celebrate Ender’s birthday back home on Earth?
Alone in the backyard, she makes a teepee of twigs and sets it on fire so that the smoke will make its way up to Battle School. - Why has the family moved to the country?
They moved in hopes that the country would soften Peter and help him be less violent and angry. - How does Valentine know that Peter has not changed?
She has found the dead bodies of squirrels in the woods that Peter has tortured and killed. - What are Peter’s thoughts about Russia and their movements of cargo?
He believes they are getting ready for land war. - How long has there been at least an appearance world peace?
since the first bugger invasion - What is Peter’s great strength when it comes to dealing with people? What is Valentine’s?
Peter can figure out what people don’t like about themselves and use it to threaten or bully them into doing what he wants. Valentine can figure out what people like about themselves and flatter and manipulate them into doing what she wants. - What is Peter’s plan for getting citizen’s access to the web?
Valentine will tell their father that she is worried about him and that if he is able to talk to other people at his level it might help him. - How does Peter get Valentine to agree to help him?
He tells her that he needs her help so that he doesn’t turn into a monster. (He essentially does to her what she does to others – flatters and manipulates her into believing that she is the only one who can help him be a better person.) - A pseudonym is a false name. What are Peter and Valentine’s pseudonyms on the web?
Locke and Demosthenes - What is odd about the way they choose to write their articles? How does Peter keep Valentine close to him during this?
Peter writes very peaceful articles (like Valentine), and Valentine writes articles that are very pro-war (like Peter). Because of this, she constantly needs to ask Peter for help, thereby he is keeping her in check. - What begins to bother Valentine about her publications?
Her father begins following her writings and even quoting her work. - What changes have occurred at Battle School for the following characters?
Ender – he is a toon leader in Phoenix Army
Petra – she is the commander of Phoenix Army
Dink – he is commander of Rat Army
Alai – he is a toon leader in another army - Who comes to see Valentine? Why is he there?
Graff – he wants her to help him with a problem involving Ender - Why does Valentine get upset and start to cry when questioned about Ender and Peter?
She feels guilty for being so close to Peter after trying to protect Ender from him all those years. She feels like she has betrayed Ender. - What does Graff ask Valentine to do?
write a letter to Ender - What is Valentine given in return?
The Star of the Order of the League of Humanity, First Class – the highest military honor given to a civilian
Chapter 10 – “Dragon”
- What army is Ender made commander of? Why is this odd?
Dragon Army –there hasn’t been a Dragon army in years. Because it was such a poor army and won very few of their battles, they discontinued it. - Graff gives Ender a small box. What does it do?
It is a hook – it allows him to go anywhere he wants in the battle room - Describe Ender’s new army:
They are newbies, fresh out of their launch group. They are untrained and inexperienced. None of them are older than Ender, and they are all pathetically small. - Who is Bean? Why does he make an impression on Ender?
He is the smallest boy in the army, and also the smartest. He is very cocky, and reminds Ender of himself. - What request does Bean make of Ender?
He wants a toon. - What does Ender realize he is doing to Bean? Why does it bother him?
He is doing to Bean what was done to him by the teachers, picking on him and singling him out because he is the brightest and shows the most promise. - What rule change does Anderson inform Ender of when he arrives at the battle room for practice?
From now on only members of the same army are allowed to practice together, and only at scheduled practices. No more free time practice. - What do we find out salaam means?
“Peace be unto you” - Why is it so hard for Ender to part with Alai?
He was the first true friend he had after Valentine, the one person he is really close to.
Chapter 11 – “Veni Vidi Vici”
- Who is the leader of C Toon?
Crazy Tom - Who is the leader of D Toon?
Hot Soup - Who is Carn Carby? What does Ender learn from him?
the commander of Rabbit Army – Ender learns to take defeat with dignity and give honor where it is due - After their battle with Rabbit Army, who must Ender fight next? Why does he think this is a mistake?
Phoenix Army – it’s odd because no army had ever fought twice in two days - Who is the leader of A Toon?
Fly Molo - What begins to happen to Ender outside of the Battle Room?
The other boys begin picking on him and bullying him again outside of the battle room. - How does Ender increase his knowledge of how to fight the buggers?
He watches the old war vids. - Even though Ender’s army defeats Salamander, why is he so mad?
It was not a fair fight. - Ender finally gives Bean his own toon, but what is different about it?
Bean is to pick only 5 soldiers to be a special toon. Ender wants him to think of the craziest things he can for his group to do.
Chapter 12 –“Bonzo”