What is Ender's character development in "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card?

Answer 1

Ender's Game is all about how Ender changes through the course of the novel. Yes, these changes often occur as a result of being manipulated--either on Earth by Peter or the other bullies at his school--or in battle school by the teachers, commanders, or fellow launchies. Ender's pensiveness--at least in this book--is always going to make him vulnerable to bullies and to manipulation. You could even say that the computer game he plays--with the Giant's drinking game and the playground of children that turn into wolves--helps shape his mental and emotional development.

Ender is a sensitive kid who is very introspective. He knows he's being manipulated, but he is in many ways powerless to stop others from using him and taking advantage of him. As a young boy, he simply doesn't have the power to stand up for himself. Even his attempts to stand up for himself are the work of others, his fight with Bonzo for example...his rebellious last stand in the battle school where he commands his army to place their helmets on the enemy's gate and end the game without fighting or disabling the other team...his "real" battle where he blows up the home planet...his goals and intentions were always to be making a rebellious stand in the hopes that it will make the adults mad and convince them to let him go home...to let him be normal...all he wants is to be free from them...free from the manipulation...free from the lies...free from the responsibilities.

He doesn't really get a chance to "be" himself until he begins to grow and develop. When he is on his way to new colonies and whatnot...and in his travels...he begins to grow up physically, mentally, and emotionally. He isn't the pushover he once was. He has found his voice, and he uses it. Whether this is because he is growing up...or whether it is because Valentine is acting as his friend and protector...I guess could be debated. But the mature Ender Wiggin--or Andrew Wiggin--is not the same person he once was.

Answer 2

Well, that's a question not easily answered. He's always manipulated by others so he never really does what he wants to do and he always kills/hurts people but he does want to. The only way he develops is from a "follower" into a leader, but I use the terms as loosely as possible. He also becomes better at understanding and loving others. Just look at the computer game he plays, that sums it up fairly well.