Ender's Game Bad Essay

Aliens are planning to invade Earth. The only hope of survival lies in a young boy, according to Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. Ender Wiggin is recruited into the International Fleet to defeat what humanity calls "buggers". Through playing a series of games, Ender trains to lead an army and save the human race. He is the main protagonist and the hero that people look up to. Ender Wiggin is an example of the ideal military leader with his use of tactics in battle, discipline and having the right amount of empathy.

Winning a specific battle requires the use of tactics and Ender gains victory even in the toughest of situations. He shows several times how use of the right tactics can tip a hopeless battle to his favor, ensuring victory for his side; Ender's skills as an effective tactician are first displayed after joining the Salamander Army at Battle School, where he uses his legs as a shield to keep them from losing one of the battles: "[He turns] defeat into a draw" (Card 95). His own Dragon Army is ranked first and one of the reasons they never lose a single battle is because "none had caught on yet to Ender's five-toon organization" (187), while other armies only have four; this shows how Ender keeps several steps ahead of them and gives him the opportunity to use his extra toon to always win. Once when outnumbered by two other armies, Ender quickly thinks of a new method to defeat his opponents by telling his own army to "see how they react to a formation" (216), eventually giving them the advantage. As a master tactician, Ender Wiggin's ability to think several steps ahead of his enemies ensures he is perfectly capable of leading any army no matter the challenge.

If there is one thing Ender is known for as a commander, it is both his own self-discipline and discipline in his soldiers. Ender has a high standard when it comes to discipline, setting the rules straight on the first day for Dragon Army because it is important to keep them in line and maintain order; to prevent further insubordination, Ender firmly states, "that's the rule this week" (158), hinting further discipline for those who don't comply again. Due to the fact that Ender himself is self-disciplined, taking pride in his work, making a mistake is not an option; soldiers don't hesitate about following him and are eager to prove their loyalty given the chance: "Even his mistakes [have] to look like part of a brilliant plan" (162). Ender knows how important discipline is, he "[has] to have discipline" to lead an army and that means "getting quick, decisive obedience" (167); he cannot be on the extreme end, but be strict enough to prevent soldiers from slacking and make sure they aren't too afraid to even speak to him. Leading armies with discipline, Ender has managed to become the