At the start of the book, Ender was basically a nobody. He was the third child that his parents didn’t want, the brother his siblings didn’t connect to, and the “bugger” at school whom had no friends or reputation. What I found interesting however was from the start of the book, he was exactly the opposite of all those things. He is in fact very intelligent and independent. He knew that nobody would take care of him, and he passed the test when he lost the monitor.
After leaving his home, he immediately became an unusual student for the school. It was interesting how well he thought out his decision, how he responded with ‘I don’t want to but I will’, and how well he adapted to the life. He kept his distance from the other students because his intelligence helped him to connect these kids with the way that he was treated back home. He continues to depend on only himself, and he appears grateful for everything he has by not showing any weakness.
Another thing that struck me immediately was his desire to prove himself. Though he sits alone, he doesn’t mind. His focus is not making friends, but rather, to simply be remembered because of his talent and creativity. For example, he was remembered because of his intelligence and his capability of hacking into the computer system and humiliating Bernard. In chapter 5, Ender proved himself again when on his first three tries of the game, he beat an experienced and much older kid with his fast ability to learn, and a natural skill. Ender even says near the end of the chapter that they may not like him, but they will remember him.
I think that with Ender, there is some great irony beginning to happen. He is the one who least wants to be there and yet, he is the best leader that they have seen. He is the fastest learner, the most intelligent, and the best at demonstrating his strong points and hiding his weak points. But then, like I said, he is the one who wants to go home the most, and the one who does not want to fight. The only time he fights is to defend himself, and the only time he attacks is in moments of intense pain (at which time, he still shows no weakness).
Without a doubt, Ender is a leader. I know this for a fact because I have had experience in a leadership position. To be a leader is a much harder job than many think, and it is without a doubt a very lonely job at times. It requires much patience, and much humility more so than the ability to be strong and confident. A leader must be humble and very giving, even if that means getting nothing in return. I once heard a quote by an unknown author when I was in leadership training at UNC Greely in a summer course: “If you are a good leader, people will admire and respect you. If you are a great leader, people will admire and respect themselves”. I find that to be very true, and Ender finds many leadership qualities in these first few chapters that define that. For example, he was sticking up for those Bernard holds under his shoe by putting Bernard back into his rightful place without hurting him. He also showed leadership by taking chances, playing that boy in the game, and putting him back into his rightful place. Ender shows people time after time that every person is equal, and I think people will begin to admire and respect him and themselves as we go on in the story.
I am very much enjoying this book, and I am excited to see what happens with Ender as he continues to grow and learn as a student, and as an individual.
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