Lying is justifiable for the greater good.
I still gave this a four because if Mazer Rackham had told Ender the truth about what he was actually doing, then I don't think Ender would have actually been able to kill all the buggers knowing he was a such a murderer.
Sometimes violence is the only way to solve a problem.
I gave this a four now that I read the book, because, in this books case, humans could not contact the buggers and could not speak to them or communicate to them in any way, so they ended up going to war and they couldn't hear each others side to the story, so the only way to solve their problem was to be violent and kill each other.
It is okay to kill someone in self defense.
I gave this a four because my opinion hasn't really changed much about this because I still think that if someone is trying to kill you, like Bonzo was to Ender, then I think the only way to stop that, in their case, would be to kill one anther. There were no teachers, so what could Ender really have done anyway.
Words are stronger than fists.
I still fully agree with this statement and would give it a five because for example in the book, Peter used to be the person that took pleasure in violence. But later on in the book he ends up becoming a person named Locke that uses his words to create peace. He ended up preventing a great battle on Earth just by using his words and his knowledge.
Bullies hurt others because they have a low self esteem.
After reading the book, I have a little bit of a disagreement. I realize that bullies bully people for many different reasons, one of them definitely being a low self esteem, but in this books case, like Peter for example, it is not for that reason. Peter kills squirrels because when he does it gives him the feeling that he in control of the squirrels and that he has power over them.
Only the best and brightest student should receive the best education to become that nations leader.
I still give this a one because of the fact that Peter Wiggin was definitely a very smart kid, but he received the same education that most other kids did, and still ended up becoming the ruler of Earth.
Revenge is never justified.
I now give this a three because people in this book just seem to like revenge. For example, Bonzo... Ender became a better commander than Bonzo did and Bonzo didn't like this so he decides to kill Ender?? That's not very cool. And what about Ender killing the whole bugger race (though he didn't know what he was doing) just because the buggers attacked the humans at one point? That's billions of lives that humans did not even understand going to waste.
Crying is evidence of weakness.
I still give this a two because the book didn't really change my opinion, but it did add to my first opinion. After Ender had destroyed all of the buggers, there were people around him crying because they were so happy and joyful at what Ender had done.
Any action is acceptable in war.
I now give this a two because not every action is acceptable in war. There are a lot that aren't for example, Ender destroying a whole race is really bad. nobody should do that.
Teenagers need discipline and rules because they cant control themselves.
I still give this a three because there are some kids like Bonzo who tried to kill Ender who obviously need some discipline and then there is someone like Valentine who doesn't break the rules and is a very good kid and who already knows what the rules are and doesn't have to break them to figure them out.
Only through personal sacrifice can someone create positive change.
At first I didn't agree with this and i gave it a two, but now i give this a four after reading the book because in Enders case, he had to sacrifice his childhood and being able to be with his friends and family but in the end ended up leading the human race to peace. If Ender had made the decision to stay instead of go to the Battle School, there would probably be no human race.
Generating compassion for your enemies is the only way to create peace.
I gave this a five at first, and I still give it a five because it truly is the only way to create peace. I think this now because of the way Ender took the bugger egg and vowed to find a new home for her.
