Ender Wiggin being a third has lead to a lifetime of being a stray from the dominant culture resulting in isolation. Graff comes to Ender asking him to join battle school. Graff, trying to persuade Ender to join, bluntly explains how other people in society perceive him: “You’re a badge of cowardice… and your a badge of public shame, because you interfere with their efforts at assimilation into moral complying society” (Card 23). Graff’s words “cowardice” and “shame” reveal how Enders family truly views them. He brings his family shame just by being alive and being a “third.” Society has pushed his family out because they choose to have a third and Ender reminds his parents of that every day. The word “badge” reveals how he truly is a walking, …show more content…
All the other boys in command hated him for being the youngest commander, and his outstanding achievements regardless of his age. Ender is the best and everyone knows it. Card writes, “It was Bonzo who hungered for his death… The other boys were along for the ride, daring themselves to see how far they might go. Bonzo knew how far he would go” (208). The idea that the boys are “along for the ride” and merely “daring themselves” proves that they are only there for the fun of it and they are treating the situation as a joke or a game. They are treating Ender’s life as a joke. Ender has never had a normal life. From being a third to going to battle school, he has never had a normal life, which has lead to him always being an outcast. Ender’s quick success has especially angered Bonzo more than anything or anyone else, resulting in Bonzo being “hungry for his death.” This demonstrates that Bonzo will stop at nothing to force Ender out of society and to be gone for good. He wants to end his life, his breath, his thoughts. Ender’s differences may cost him his life. This is similar to “nerds” in school. They are, generally, ignored or bullied merely because they are doing better in school. They are seen as an easy target and taken advantage of. Those who are less successful see nerds and quickly become jealous. They are also quick to bully “nerds” like Bonzo taunting