1986 — Orson Scott Card — Ender’s Game
Chapter 12: — Bonzo
by Game, Ender’sIn Chapter 12, General Pace confronts Colonel Graff about the imminent danger Ender Wiggin faces from Bonzo Madrid and his conspirators at Battle School. Pace accuses Graff of negligence, arguing that Ender’s safety is critical given his strategic importance to the impending war. Graff, however, insists on non-intervention, believing Ender must learn to rely solely on his own abilities to prepare for future leadership. The tense exchange highlights Graff’s unyielding stance, even as Pace threatens legal consequences, emphasizing the high-stakes gamble Graff is taking with Ender’s life.
Meanwhile, Ender observes Bean’s innovative use of a construction twine in the battleroom, which allows for rapid directional changes and excites the entire Dragon Army. The scene showcases the creativity and camaraderie among Ender’s soldiers, who trust his leadership implicitly. Despite their exhaustion from relentless battles, the army remains cohesive and motivated, a testament to Ender’s ability to inspire and challenge them. This moment of triumph contrasts sharply with the looming threat Ender senses in the corridors.
As Ender and his army return to their barracks, he notices older boys, including Salamander Army members, lingering suspiciously. Petra approaches Ender with a warning about the plot against him, confirming his suspicions. Ender’s calm reaction and decision to keep his army close reveal his strategic mindset, even as he grapples with the potential danger. The chapter underscores the duality of Ender’s experience—moments of brilliance in battle juxtaposed with the ever-present threat from his peers.
The chapter culminates in a cliffhanger, with Petra’s incomplete warning hinting at the severity of the conspiracy. Ender’s internal tension and the unresolved conflict with Bonzo set the stage for a confrontation. Graff’s calculated risk and Ender’s resilience are central themes, as the narrative builds toward a pivotal moment in Ender’s journey, where his survival and leadership will be tested beyond the battleroom.
FAQs
1. What is General Pace’s primary concern regarding Ender Wiggin, and how does Colonel Graff justify his inaction?
Answer:
General Pace is alarmed by the imminent threat to Ender Wiggin’s life, particularly from Bonzo Madrid and his conspirators, and views Graff’s negligence as reckless endangerment of a vital military asset. Graff, however, argues that Ender must learn self-reliance to reach his full potential as a commander. He believes intervention would undermine Ender’s development, stating, “He must believe… that he can only do what he and the other children work out for themselves.” Graff’s strategy hinges on forcing Ender to confront crises independently, even at great risk (e.g., “God help us all if I’m wrong”).
2. Analyze the significance of Bean’s “deadline” experiment in the battleroom. How does it reflect broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
Bean’s innovation with the construction twine demonstrates adaptability and creative problem-solving—key traits Ender values in his soldiers. The deadline’s dual nature (as both tool and hazard) mirrors the chapter’s tension between risk and reward: just as Bean risks injury to achieve unprecedented speed, Graff risks Ender’s safety to forge a resilient leader. The scene also highlights how Ender’s army thrives through experimentation and trust, contrasting with Bonzo’s rigid hostility.
3. How does the chapter portray institutional autonomy versus oversight through the conflict between Graff and Pace?
Answer:
The debate underscores a clash between military hierarchy and Battle School’s insulated training philosophy. Pace represents institutional oversight, arguing that Ender’s strategic importance warrants protection (“an inestimably important international resource”). Graff defends autonomy, insisting that artificial safeguards would compromise Ender’s training for real-world command. Their exchange reveals tensions between short-term safety and long-term preparedness, with Graff prioritizing the latter despite ethical and legal repercussions (e.g., Pace’s threat of a “capital court martial”).
4. Why does Ender distrust Petra’s warning, and what does this reveal about his psychological state?
Answer:
Ender’s suspicion stems from pervasive paranoia bred by isolation and past betrayals (e.g., the monitor removal, earlier attacks). When Petra tries to warn him, he notes her proximity to Salamander-uniformed boys and fears she might be luring him into a trap (“Was she one of them?”). This reflects his hardened worldview: he now assumes hostility even from allies, a survival mechanism that also isolates him further. His curt response (“Surprise”) masks deeper anxiety about inevitable conflict.
5. Evaluate Graff’s assertion that Ender’s past experiences prepare him for Bonzo’s threat. Is this reasoning sound?
Answer:
Graff cites Ender’s history (e.g., the fight after monitor removal) as evidence of his resilience, but this logic is flawed. While Ender has survived violence before, Bonzo’s organized conspiracy and lack of restraint (“no self-restraint”) present a qualitatively greater danger. Graff conflates physical survival with psychological readiness—Ender’s trauma from past fights (e.g., guilt over killing Stilson) suggests repeated crises could erode his stability. The argument prioritizes tactical gains over Ender’s well-being, risking catastrophic failure.
Quotes
1. “Ender Wiggin must believe that no matter what happens, no adult will ever, ever step in to help him in any way. He must believe, to the core of his soul, that he can only do what he and the other children work out for themselves.”
This quote captures Colonel Graff’s controversial philosophy of leadership training - that Ender must develop absolute self-reliance, even at great personal risk. It represents the central ethical conflict of the chapter between protection and purposeful hardship.
2. “God help us all if I’m wrong.”
Graff’s stark response to General Pace’s threats underscores the immense stakes riding on Ender’s survival and development. This brief exchange crystallizes the chapter’s tension between military protocol and the unorthodox methods deemed necessary to forge a savior.
3. “They were proud, happy, close — they had never lost, and they had learned to trust each other.”
This description of Dragon Army’s cohesion highlights Ender’s success as a commander despite the threats against him. It serves as important contrast to the danger looming in the corridors, showing what’s at stake in the coming confrontation.
4. “Soon all of Dragon Army stopped work to watch Bean practice with the twine. The changes in direction were stunning, especially when you didn’t know where to look for the twine.”
Bean’s innovative use of the deadline symbolizes the creative problem-solving Ender’s army has developed. This moment of discovery provides a brief respite before the chapter’s ominous conclusion, while foreshadowing how unconventional tactics may be needed in the coming fight.