Assignment 2 Essay Topics

Assignment 1

You may not submit your essay until you have submitted your outline and it's been approved.

Your essay must be at 1500-2500 words. You must support your argument by citing several passages from the assigned readings. These are the readings listed on the web site, not the shorter stories I pass out in class. Papers must be word-processed, appropriately formatted using MLA standards (double-spaced, pages numbered, etc) and contain appropriate citations and a bibliography (list of works cited). Please follow the guidelines posted here. There are also some great tips on writing essays on fiction posted in other sections of this website.

You must also cite at least one critical source (not another story) from a scholarly journal (see the "Text and Materials" section of this website for a list of scholarly journals).

You may also cite factual information from Wikipedia (though not someone's opinion stuck in Wikipedia!). I'm also happy to talk to you about your sources, or anything else, if you want to see if you're on the right track....

No more than four people may sign up for one question. Sign up is on a first-come first-served basis. Please put you name next to the topic you wish to do.

Write an SF short story. Note that you must still submit an outline.	Zachary Kain Saro M Chris B
Ender is the most sympathetic and compassionate character in Ender's Game. Yet he is directly responsible for the deaths of several humans and the destruction of an entire non-human race. Peter is the least sympathetic and most ruthless character, and yet he is responsible for saving millions of human lives. What is Card saying about human nature?
Illustrate how games play an important role in Ender's Game, and explain what the author is trying to say about games and reality.
The relationship between children and adults is a central theme in Ender's Game. What is Card saying about this relationship? Illustrate your points by referring to Ender's relationship with his parents, Graff and Anderson. you may also refer to any other relationships Ender has with adults that you think has significance.
Ender's Game is, in large part, about the conflict between our individual needs and the greater good. What is Card saying about this conflict? (For example, do you think Card is saying it is appropriate for Graff and Anderson manipulate and deceive Ender to defeat the buggers? Or is he saying that it is wrong?)
In Ender's Game, almost the entire novel is set in schools that train children to become military commanders. What is Card saying about the military mindset and leadership (how does the military "make" leaders, and how does it view people, war, politics, etc).
In Ender's Game friends become enemies and enemies become friends. And sometimes characters are both a friend to, and an enemy of, Ender. What is Card saying about how we define, and identify, friends and enemies?
Show how both dreams and the virtual reality game Ender plays are used to examine some of the key themes of Ender's Game. (The above questions all deal with key themes in the novel.)