Saturday, January 12, 2013

In Ender's Game ch.9, Graff asks Valentine to help Ender. Why does she reply with an allusion to the Bible story of Danie's interpreting dreams?

I believe she is referring to Graff as the king who
forgets the dream. Graff took Ender from his family to make him into a heroic commander
that would save mankind by shaping the good Ender into an aggressive, violentone. She
knows this and so does Graff. Graff's advisors and game programmer are supposed to
interpret the Giant Game that Ender is playing as to his readiness to proceed up the
chain of command. They are stumped when Ender keeps seeing his older brother Peter's
face in the mirror instead of his own reflection. This part of the game keeps Ender from
finishing.


 Valentine is the prophet here. She wants the IF
to know that they will take the good child Ender and make him into the twisted, evil
Peter who likes to hurt people and animals, who wants to rule the world. By pressuring
Val into writing a letter to Ender (who will actually be allowed to get and read this
one) reassuring him that he will not be like Peter ever. Her loving message allows Ender
to successfully complete the End of the World game, even though both she and her younger
brother know the message is contrived. Ender's communication with the only person who
loves him solves the game with an act of love. His success will lead him to become the
youngest commander ever.

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