The Beneficial Side of Seclusion in Ender's Game
In his science fiction novel, Ender's Game, Orson Card portrayed the journey of a young boy named Ender to becoming the central commander of Earth's fleet against the invading aliens, the "buggers". Although the book's plot seems too cliche and simplistic at first glance, familiar readers knows that Card convincingly addresses many themes, one of which is seclusion, in this coming of age novel. The novel bares much resemblance with the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne as both supports that seclusion positively affects their characters as it guides the characters towards self-evaluation and eventually self-improvement.
Ender's training first starts in battle school at the age of six along with a group of other selected talented children. However, he soon discovers that the teachers at battle school deliberately cause him to endure social seclusion from others through constantly praising his actions because "when the sergeant picked on you, the others liked you better, but when the officer prefers you, the others hate you" (Card 32). Employing dramatic irony, Card ensures that the audience is often given inside looks into conversations between the teachers about their plans for Ender before Ender becomes aware of his destiny and the teachers' purposes. As a result of this literary device, the readers only become more engaged in Ender's responses to such adversities as the plot unravels.
In spite of the potentially devastating start, Ender exhibites his determination to break out of his seclusion when he promises to himself to not be "the bugger of [his] group" (39). His decision regarding his seclusion is similar to Hester's in that both bare their seclusion with dignity, an honorable trait that reveals itself only in the face of misfortunes like seclusion. Neither of the characters feels lightly about their situation but learn to act bravely anyways. Hester "never respond[s] to [the people's] attacks" although she endures "Shame, Despair, Solitude" (Hawthorne 300); comparatively, even though Ender often feels "very angry" and homesick, he "could not cry" or "show any signs of weakness" (Card 40).
While in social seclusion, Ender plans several strategies to cope with seclusion after reflecting upon his capabilities and making astute observations. In the case of both Ender and Hester, seclusion grants them the ability to acutely assess their social structure. Whereas Hester takes an "estranged point of view at human institutions..., criticizing all" (Hawthorne 299), Ender observes "from the fringes of the group as Bernard", the tyranical and despicable leader, "establishe[s] the hierarchy" (Card 43). While Bernard unreservedly flatters those useful to him, he exploits other boys, using them as lowly servants. Another strategy that Ender adopts as he faces seclusion is to "be so good at what [he does] that they can't ignore him" (33). Using his ingenious computer skills, he defeats older kids at a computer simulated game, impressing many and raising his reputation. Combining his social observation and his computer skills, he penetrates other group member's computers and sends them clever messages that brings him admiration while undermining Bernard's authority. He ultimately ends his seclusion through first befriending lower ranked boys and later higher ranked boys in Bernard's hierarchy.
Even though seclusion makes Ender "lonely, afraid, angry, untrusting" (121), it forces him to reflect upon himself, including assessing his own position and capabilities. In the end, seclusion compels him to explore the extent of his abilities and to prove himself far more brilliant than everyone else, meanwhile establishing respect, friendships, and eventually leadership.
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| http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/375802.Ender_s_Game |
Ender's training first starts in battle school at the age of six along with a group of other selected talented children. However, he soon discovers that the teachers at battle school deliberately cause him to endure social seclusion from others through constantly praising his actions because "when the sergeant picked on you, the others liked you better, but when the officer prefers you, the others hate you" (Card 32). Employing dramatic irony, Card ensures that the audience is often given inside looks into conversations between the teachers about their plans for Ender before Ender becomes aware of his destiny and the teachers' purposes. As a result of this literary device, the readers only become more engaged in Ender's responses to such adversities as the plot unravels.
In spite of the potentially devastating start, Ender exhibites his determination to break out of his seclusion when he promises to himself to not be "the bugger of [his] group" (39). His decision regarding his seclusion is similar to Hester's in that both bare their seclusion with dignity, an honorable trait that reveals itself only in the face of misfortunes like seclusion. Neither of the characters feels lightly about their situation but learn to act bravely anyways. Hester "never respond[s] to [the people's] attacks" although she endures "Shame, Despair, Solitude" (Hawthorne 300); comparatively, even though Ender often feels "very angry" and homesick, he "could not cry" or "show any signs of weakness" (Card 40).
 |
| http://www.starcitygames.com/article/25261_Untapped--Homicidal-Seclusion.html |
Even though seclusion makes Ender "lonely, afraid, angry, untrusting" (121), it forces him to reflect upon himself, including assessing his own position and capabilities. In the end, seclusion compels him to explore the extent of his abilities and to prove himself far more brilliant than everyone else, meanwhile establishing respect, friendships, and eventually leadership.
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| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_after_storm.jpg |
Works Cited
Card, Orson Scott. Ender's
Game. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, n.d. Print. Ender Universe.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The
Scarlet Letter. Planet PDF, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.planetpublish.com/>.
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