Literary Criticism Of Ender's Game

Literary criticism has existed for almost as long as literature itself. It is an important part of our world as it examines the messages throughout everyday media. Ender’s Game is a prominent piece of literature that has experienced literary criticism from a variety of sources; one of these sources being John Kessel. These criticisms have a variety of focuses; one being the morality of Ender Wiggin. While greatly debated, Ender Wiggin’s morality lies in the drain.
Ender Wiggin vilifies himself, and while this sentiment creates empathy, it is not without reason. Even excluding the xenocide, Ender Wiggin has caused pain and death to win. He crushes almost everyone in his way, causing him to murder two children. Ender acknowledges his actions

John Kessel, a well known critic of Ender’s Game, briefly touches upon this in Creating the Innocent Killer, “Ender becomes expert at wielding violence against his enemies, and this ability ultimately makes him the savior of the human race.” (Kessel, 4) Ender causing death is not only good but what makes him a hero. Even when others shun him and disapprove of his actions they are in the wrong. “ ‘It wasn't murder, Colonel…No one can blame Ender.’...Ender Wiggin isn't a killer. . He just wins -- thoroughly. If anybody's going to be scared, let it be the buggers’ " (Ender’s Game, 1) In chapter twelve, the Colonel shows disapproval for Ender's actions and is reprimanded. The International Fleet endorsed Ender's killings because it could serve them in eradicating the buggers. Ender’s action of harm brings him glory, and when anyone opposes his actions, they are considered unreasonable. He becomes a savior because he committed

" ‘I don't want to go,’ said Ender, ‘but I will.’ ” (Ender’s Game, 1) In chapter three, Ender had a decision, and he chose to leave to battle school. In chapter thirteen, he made the same choice again. He at many points of his life decided to stay with the program. He was aware that his whole purpose of battle school was to prepare to kill the buggers. He may not have chosen to genocide the buggers at that moment, but make no mistake Ender was planning for the buggers to die by his hands. John Kessel took this position as well: “the ultimate purpose of any practice was to enact such destruction in reality.” (Kessel, 4) He worked to understand their tactics, pieced together videos, trained extra hours, all so he could be more effective in killing the