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Harrison Tang

Mrs. Kraft

English 7H+

11/18/2019

How does Ender’s leadership develop over the course of the text

through interactions with others? Cite text evidence from the novel

to support your main idea.

In Orson’s Scott Card’s science fiction story, “Ender’s Game”, Card introduces Ender

as a young hero who defeated the buggers in the 3rd Formic War. Throughout the story,

Ender’s leadership develops from a caring leader into a stringent one by interacting with

Graff, Bean, and Bonzo.

When Ender was promoted from a launchy into a student, he was transported to

Bonzo’s “Salamander” army. Since Ender was a launchy, Bonzo despised him, seized his

rights, and forbid him from joining any battle. “…swung at him, caught his jaw with a vicious

open-handed slap” (95) demonstrates that Bonzo despises Ender and triggers Ender’s

hatred in his heart, which makes Ender a more anxious and furious commander. “No more

practicing with those little farts…… When you’re in Salamander’s Army, you’ll obey me”

(86&87) shows that Bonzo takes away Ender’s rights by prohibiting him from practicing with

the launchies. This series of actions is similar to what Ender later did to Bean, not as harsh

nor as brutal but still resembles Bonzo’s actions. In the text, it mentioned “And you,
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pinprick, wait 4 minutes, then come just inside the door. Don’t even take your gun off your

suit” (88). This conversation between Ender and Bonzo shows Bonzo’s selfishness and

blindness from preventing Ender to battle. This reflects Ender’s character later in the book

where he treated Bean unfairly from the other Dragon Army soldiers. Another person Ender

interacted with is Graff, which is the director of battle school. Graff introduced a brand-new

concept of leadership to Ender, specifically by isolating and by harshly manipulating. For

example, “There’s only one boy on the launch that has any brain, and that’s Ender Wiggin.

Take a good look at him, boys” (32) shows that Graff tries to isolates Ender from the

beginning of the launch. His statements may seem harmless, but it will instill jealousy in all

the other 19 lauchies, who all vie to perfect in the school. The isolation gathers another

crowd of kids that are against him, identical to the circumstances with Stilson. Later in the

text, Ender commanded his own army, and he isolated Bean the exact same way as how

Graff did. Ender discussed it was his own problem, or Graff’s and Bonzo’s influence, but the

latter suits better as the reason. Besides isolating, Graff lies and manipulates to Ender

throughout the story. The last character Ender was influenced by is Bean, and the change of

Ender’s leadership is from a negative approach to a more positive way. Bean is the only one

who improved Ender’s leadership methods through conversating and convincing Ender. For

example, “I’m warning you…don’t play games with me…or else I’ll be the worst man you’ve

got” (165) proves that Bean is trying to change Ender’s attitude through conversating. Here,

Bean is referring to Ender and telling him to stop isolating and manipulating, because Bean

wants Ender’s help to improve skills, and Ender’s leadership method does not meet that

criteria. Through conversating, Ender understands Bean’s suggestions and alters his

leadership method. “I’m helping you” and “Like Hell” respectively from Ender and Bean
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shows that Ender is now helping Bean, not by isolating and manipulating, but by actually

teaching him how to battle skillfully and become a toon leader.

In conclusion, Ender changes from a kind leader to a commander with strict

standards through interactions with Graff and Bonzo, but stops his manipulation and

isolation methods through interactions with Bean. These factors change him from a

depressed, frustrated student to a brighter, more successful commander, with skills that he

will later use in battling with the Formics.