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In both novels, the characters represent certain kinds of individuals in today's society. They encounter jealousy, as well as many other conflicts within themselves, and human nature. Ultimately, these two novels deliver the inner conflicts of our society. Both, Ender's Game and Out of the Silent Planet are related in terms of the class structures of society, the qualities of the characters, and both characters's truffles with others in the stories. In Ender's Game class structure is strictly military based. The classes are comprised of Citizens, who are just common people, making up the basic population, but are separate from the other classes. "Thirds" are children who were allowed to be born.
In this futuristic setting the novel takes place in. Families were only allowed to comprise of two children. However, in Ender Wiggin's case, the government believed that he was the missing link, the great commander who would lead Earth to victory against the dreaded "Buggers." Which Ender does achieve. Thirds, however, were shunned, picked on, and often left out because they were sought to be social out casts. "Launches" were the newcomers to the Battle School.
They were always about six years old, and were often the lackeys of the older children soldiers. Next came the platoon's. platoon's were the main fighting group, which was just the basic soldier, they had little respect from others as well as themselves. Platoon leaders however, were the more desired positions at the Battle School. They were the best of the soldiers, and were veterans. Chosen over a period of time, and flight reviewing were the Army Leaders.
Each Army Leader was expected to act a certain way, hardened and wise, as well as strict. Those, who made it to Army Leader often graduated, and went to war against the Buggers. Above these classes were the political castes. They were often corrupt and misled individuals, who often made many important decisions. At others' expense they followed through with their decisions, such as with taking Ender away from his family to train in the military. Orson Scott Card is quoted saying about the government that "the followers are ignorant and stupid and easily fooled, and the leaders are exploitative and cynical, manipulating others' faith for their private benefit. " (Card, pg. 2) Which the government in his novel was often portrayed doing to the general public.
One instance of this was, when Ender was attacked by Bonzo and a few of the other boys. Ender, ended up killing Bonzo, but Colonel Graff covered it up, and Ender had no idea that he had killed the boy. Colonel Graff had also known that the boys were planning on attacking Ender, but did nothing to stop it. "You have known for eight days that there is a conspiracy among some of the more vicious of the 'children' to cause the beating of Ender Wiggin" (Card, 201) However Colonel Graff's reasons for this are quite logical. Graff reason's to General Pace, "When Ender Wiggin holds our fleets in his control, when he must make the decisions that bring us victor or destruction, will there be military police to come save him if things get out of hand?" (Card, 201) Out of the Silent Planet, had a very distinct setting of its classes in society.
The "aliens" that inhabited the planet were very distinct in their nature and their looks, as well as their purpose. The planet's inhabitants were subdivided and lived separate, living in villages that were only comprised of their species. Oyarsa was the supreme being, Ransom believed Oyarsa to be God, but was in fact mistaken. Oyarsa was an Angel, and he went on to tell that "Malacandra (the planet which Ransom has traveled to), like all worlds, floats in heaven. And I am not 'here' altogether as you are Ransom. " (Lewis, 119) Through this Oyarsa means that, he only merely communicates to those inhabitants of the planet, which is why Ransom and others cannot physically see him, only hear him. When he does let himself be seen he appears to them in a great light.
The Hnakra, are tall slender, translucent being's that dwell in the forest regions of the planet. Ransom's first encounter with these creatures was his first contact with any other species. These beings, are the most intelligent, and most human looking figures on the planet, but they represent something much different then the normal citizen of our society. They represent the doctor class, or humans with higher social position on Earth.
They are very intelligent and Oyarsa uses them to try to begin communicating with Ransom. Pfiffiltriggi, are very intelligent figures that were not well described, but they were the builders, as well as creators of most things involving technology. They tended to live in seclusion high in the mountains of the planets, and Ransom saw them as scientists. Email were creatures that when they spoke, emitted a soft light, but otherwise could not be seen. They were messenger's for Oyarsa, and watched over most of the land. Through these facts they are seen to represent the authority in society, police officers or the military.
For they warned the Hnau and Ransom to obey Oyarsa's commands, "Let the man go to Oyarsa or there will be evil." (Lewis. 80) The last social class represented was the Hnau. These creatures resembled frogs, except much larger. These creatures took Ransom in and taught him their language over a short period of time. They were very pleasant, and had forms of what Ransom believed to be music. The Hnau lived in small huts and lived in pair bonds consisting of a husband and wife.
They gathered and hunted not only for themselves, but for the other creatures that inhabited the planet. The Hnau represent the working class human, in our society, for they gather and hunt, much like the working class of our society. The characters in either book both have very similar qualities, and endure very similar tribulations throughout either novel. Ender Wiggin was the third-born child in his family, which was extremely abnormal for his era. The government had imposed a strict birth-law, which controlled the population.
Only two children were allowed in a family. Normally if a third child was born it was killed immediately after birth. Ender's parents, however, were requested to have another child, because his sister and brother, Peter and Valentine had gone through training to see if they were the true savior from the Buggers. But both Peter and Valentine, had problems.
Peter was too psychotic, and Valentine was too kind-hearted. The government believed that if the Wiggins had another child he could very well be the perfect soldier they needed. So, in turn the Wiggins were permitted to have a "Third." Ender was frequently harassed throughout his childhood on Earth, as well as at his stay at the Battle School. He was beaten up many times, and made fun of.
However, after a while, Ender would earn the respect...
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Research essay sample on Ender Game And Out Of The Silent Planet
