Ender's Game

Homophobia in Ender’s Game College

Ender’s Game, a novel by Orson Scott Card, is a form of anti-homosexual propaganda. The essay “Kill the Bugger: Ender’s Game and the Question of Heteronormativity” by James Campbell goes in depth regarding the ways in which Orson Scott Card’s thoughts on heteronormativity are reflected through structural subtleties in the novel. The 2013 film adaptation of Ender’s Game also includes an emphasis on the element of heterosexuality, which further enforces Card’s distaste toward homosexuality. Card’s anti-homosexual thoughts are expressed through the underlying analogies in the novel that Campbell mentions. His opinions are emphasized in specific scenes throughout the novel, as well as through Card’s production choice, to increase the significance of heterosexual relationships in the film.

In the article “Kill the Bugger: Ender’s Game and the Question of Heteronormativity,” author James Campbell mentions several subtleties that, when read closely, point to Card’s continued insults towards homosexuals. Ender’s Game tells the story of Ender Wiggin, a six-year-old boy who is recruited to attend Battle School to train to command an army to attack a foreign planet. He is instructed to save Earth from the aliens who inhabit it, called the...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2792 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in