Erik Berman wrote: > I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure that Card mentioned in his > foreword that he wrote Ender's Game without intending to add any extra > or hidden meaning to it, but instead it just happens to be one of those > books that people will take away some meaning. Soldiers have thought it > was about the tragedy of war, kids about isolation because of > intelligence, I suppose it could be seen as religious allegory too, > though I can't see it myself, I'd like to hear how you though Ender's > game a Christian allegory. I wouldn't dispute any such claim by Card that this is the case, this conviction actually came to me full force yesterday after reading the story "The Polish Boy" that appeared in a collection with the original novella this year. I have long felt that the source of Card's unique voice is his religion. It just became clear to me how much that is reflected in the novel. Perhaps I'm wrong on _explicit_, but I think a strong case can be made for it being allegory, intentional or no. In addition to the elements David Silberstein noted, there are: His parents were allowed to have him despite strict population controls (the escape to Egypt) His maturity of insight at an early age (Jesus in the temple as a young boy) He totally turns upside down all the "rules" of the Battle game. (kicking the moneychangers out of the temple/challenging the teachings of the Pharisees) His army is made up of the rejects from other armies. (sinners and tax collectors) His best lieutenants are made generals of their own armies (scattering of the disciples) His separation from the other kids after the victory, (Three days in the tomb) His discovery of the Hive Queen, and writing the stories of the Hive Queen and the Hegemon which allow a complete recasting of the events and characters (post resurrection appearances) In drawing the links, I wouldn't parallel Peter to Simon, but rather to Judaism, Alai is the Simon in the story, Bean is closest to Paul. I haven't thought about Valentine's role, probably closer to the Church, since there is Petra in the Mary M. role. There are also temptation, wilderness, and baptism elements, but I think I can stop there. These are just the bits that come to mind without having read the novel anytime recently. If I actively tried to I'm sure I could interpret into it anything I wanted to. Casey