Ender's Game By Orson Scott Card

In the novel “Ender’s Game”, written by Orson Scott Card, the idea of what a game entails is shown through many elements in the novel. Card uses the main character, Ender Wiggins, as well as other characters, to prove the point that games do exist. Whether these are physical or mental games being played, they all include the necessary elements of a game. Over the course of the novel, the reader can see several games and the affects these games have on the characters. Card uses the big game Ender is playing and other games to help prove that everything in life is a game. A game can be described as a structured form of play, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Card presents games in this novel for both

Ender’s life is the big game because everything in Ender’s life is a game. From the beginning of Ender’s childhood, he had always competed with his siblings. Even the games during Ender’s childhood prepared him for when they went to war with the buggers. “Better to play the war games, and have a better chance of survival” (Card 11). Card uses this statement to show that the games are preparing Ender for his future. Ender goes on to experience different games throughout battle school such as Battle, War, and the Fantasy game. Ender’s whole life is consumed by playing games. Throughout the book Ender spends most of his time either practicing or playing games. Card shows Ender’s life being consumed by games when Ender will do anything to win. Ender quickly rises to the top of the school and others become jealous of him. “He just wins- thoroughly” (Card 226) This statement shows that Ender the games consume his life. Ender’s life is also considered to be the Big game because several people have control over Ender’s life. Graff and others have manipulated Ender into who they want him to be. Card uses isolation to show how Ender is being manipulate. When Graff speaks to Valentine, he hopes she will follow their instruction to write a specific letter to Ender. In the novel Graff says, “It was his ideas we wanted, not the- never mind”. This help shows that Graff is using Ender in hopes of one day defeating the Buggers. Ender experiences several physical and mental games throughout the novel. Ender’s life can be described as one Big game that he is participating