Ender's Game Collaborative Chapter Summaries 1 & 2

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

Chapter 1: Third

Main Idea: In this chapter Ender goes through a life-changing experience where he has a government-monitor surgically removed. He is now like everyone else at school, and has no one looking out for him anymore. Just because he is normal  does not mean he will be treated any different.

Summary:          

                Ender , whose real name is Andrew Wiggin, is a very smart 6 year old. He does not pay much attention in class and his sister already taught him everything. Ender is the Third child in the family, which is not allowed unless the government authorizes it. Ender's brother is not nice to him because he has the monitor, which is required by the government, in longer than he did. The monitor records all of Ender's senses, such as hearing, feeling, and seeing. After Ender had the monitor removed, which was a painful experience, he was attacked by a gang after school who mocked him because he "washed out" of the government program. Instead of being beaten, Ender surprised everyone and viciously beat the leader. At the end of the chapter, he cried on the way home because of his actions, thinking that he is just like his older brother.

Chapter 2: Peter

Main Idea: This chapter introduces the idea of jealous siblings and people feeling pressured by their parents. Ender is picked on by his jealous older brother, but his older sister is protective.  This chapter discusses Ender's relationship with his entire family.

Summary:

                When Ender returns home, Peter is really jealous that Ender had the monitor longer than him, because that means Ender almost "made it." Valentine and Ender know about Peter's mean side, but everyone else thinks he is as handsome as Alexander the Great. There was a war between astronauts and buggers. Now children play make-believe games about them. Peter threatens to kill Ender while they play buggers and astronauts.  The astronauts always win, and determine when the game is over. Valentine tries to defend Ender and helps to protect Ender. They are both fearful of Peter as he repeatedly threatens to kill Ender and Valentine.  At supper, Ender thinks that his parents are disappointed in him because the monitor was removed, and now the family would have to explain to everyone why they have 3 children, however the parents are really proud of them. At the end of the chapter Peter tells Ender that he loves him and understands what Ender is going through now that Ender had the monitor removed.