Ender's Game questions from a student in Singapore
2004
Question Was Ender meant to symbolize hope for humanity?
OSC Answers I don't use my characters to symbolize anything. Ender was a kid with
extraordinary abilities who was pressed into doing very difficult things by adults
who thought they were doing what was necessary to save the human race from an
implacable enemy.
Question Do you believe the adults at the Battle School were correct in their method of
training Ender? If not, how should it be changed?
OSC Answers This question is completely answered in the story, as far as it can be answered.
Were they "correct"? How can anyone possibly know? They believed the Buggers
were going to destroy the human race; they trained the children to fight the war;
the children fought and won, completely and irrevocably. Maybe they would also
have won if they did it another way, but how could anyone ever know?
Question Why did you write Ender's Game?
OSC Answers Because I thought it was a good story that other people might want to read.
Question Is there a message that you want told through this book?
OSC Answers My message is the same in all my books: Here is a story that felt important and
true to me. I hope I have written it clearly enough that it might also feel important
and true to you.
Question Do you believe that children should be trained to protect the future?
OSC Answers I believe that children should be educated (a) so that they know what is
expected of a member of adult society and (b) so they are able to adapt to change
and have the courage and independence to introduce changes when they believe
something is wrong with the society around them.
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