“I know, you've been here a year, you think these people are normal. Well, they're not. WE'RE not. I look in the library, I call up books on my desk. Old ones, because they won't let us have anything new, but I've got a pretty good idea what children are, and we're not children. Children can lose sometimes, and nobody cares. Children aren't in armies, they aren't COMMANDERS, they don't rule over forty other kids, it's more than anybody can take and not get crazy.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Orson Scott Card's novel "Ender's Game," the character Ender is expressing his feelings of isolation and pressure as a young child put into a position of power and leadership. Ender recognizes the abnormality of his situation, highlighting the fact that children are not meant to be commanders or rulers over others. This quote speaks to the theme of innocence lost and the burden of responsibility placed on young shoulders. Ender's struggle with his identity as a child in a warlike environment underscores the psychological toll of warfare and power dynamics on individuals.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Orson Scott Card's novel "Ender's Game," the protagonist Ender expresses his frustration about being thrust into a world of responsibility and pressure at a young age. This theme of child soldiers and the weight of adult burdens on young shoulders is still relevant in today's world, where children in various parts of the globe are forced into conflict situations and denied the innocence of their youth.
Literary Analysis
In this quote from Orson Scott Card's book, the narrator expresses a sense of alienation and frustration with the oppressive environment they are living in. The use of italics in the quote emphasizes the speaker's disbelief at their situation and reinforces the idea that they are not children, despite being treated as such. The quote also highlights the theme of power dynamics and the struggle for autonomy in a restricted society.
Reflection Questions
After reading the quote by Orson Scott Card, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- What do you think the speaker means by the statement "we're not children"? How do they define being a child in this context?
- How does the idea of being in an army or being a commander at a young age affect a person's perception of themselves and others?
- Do you agree or disagree with the speaker's perspective on the children in the story not being normal? Why or why not?
- In what ways do the children in the story demonstrate qualities of leadership and maturity beyond their years?
- How does the lack of typical childhood experiences impact the children's mental and emotional well-being in the story?
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