Question

Colonel Graff and Mazer Rackham display contrasting attitudes and actions toward Ender from the beginning to the end of the novel. How do their actions change and what motivates this change?

Answer 1

Colonel Graff and Mazer Rackham viewed Ender differently in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. Colonel Graff first manipulates Ender to save humanity from aliens. He deceives Ender and isolates him from his peers to make him the ultimate weapon. Graff shows real concern for Ender's well-being and emotional health toward the end of the novel, giving him closure on his actions in the last battle. Ender's humanity motivates this shift.

Mazer Rackham, who teaches Ender to combat aliens, is distant and frightening. As Ender improves, Rackham becomes more hands-on, teaching him methods and techniques beyond combat. Rackham changes because he admires Ender and thinks he can be a leader. Rackham mentors and fathers Ender toward the end of the novel, helping him deal with his shame and duty.

Source

• "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card.