Although “Ender’s Game” is set in the distant future, the themes and ideas that it conveys are quite close to present-day readers. Child mercenaries, which the protagonist is supposed to embody, do exist, representing a major ethical concern and a moral issue for the modern world. Raising the questions of ethics and the problem of military conflicts, the book leaves a cautiously optimistic message for humankind while making an explicit statement about the horrors of war.
The book renders the theme of war and the idea of a conflict, in general, with substance and due thoroughness. Although the novel contains several lighthearted moments allowing the readers to develop an emotional connection to the main character, it mostly centers on the phenomenon of war, the misunderstandings that produce it, and the toll that it takes on all parties involved in it. Thus, the book promotes the idea of peace, negotiations, and compromise without even mentioning them, which is quite impressive. Furthermore, the theme of child mercenaries and the issue of personal guilt is rendered beautifully in the novel. Even though Ender is a teenager at the time of destroying the alien race, he has to face the consequences of his actions and accept the blame: “And always Ender carried with him a dry white cocoon, looking for a place where the hive-queen could awaken and thrive in peace” (Card, 1985, p. 324). Thus, Card conveys the idea of compassion as the means of removing the necessity to engage in a conflict.
Questioning the ethics of war and addressing some of its most deplorable issues, such as child soldiers, as well as the moral issue of responsibility for one’s uninformed actions, “Ender’s Game” remains a powerful piece even decades after it was published. The book captures the childhood innocence of the protagonist, thus, making his devastating discovery all the more soul-crushing. Thus, even though the plot of the book could be seen as slightly meandering, its denouement represents a chilling moment that changes the entire narrative and introduces a pivotal point in Ender’s character development.
Reference
Card, O. S. (1985). Ender’s game. Tor Books.