Philotic Web

Why or why not?

I smell homework...

You would be correct. However it is a question directed towards other readers of their opinion. Personally I feel that Ender is gifted because not only is he intelligent, but he has compassion, and is a great strategist. I believe a gifted child is a child that carries many great qualities, or a child that is great at one thing in particular.

Yes.

Not only is he very bright and quick thinking, but even among other gifted children, he still comes off as extremely precocious (I kept forgetting they were supposed to be really young, more specifically I kept forgetting that he was about 6-8 for most of it).

On a purely intellectual level, he's obviously gifted. OSC goes to great lengths to constantly bring that up (not paying attention in class because he already knows everything (very early sign of a genius in many cases), being able to create his own security system for his desk, etc).

From other aspects, he's very empathic. He seems to be able to not only say things that help him reach others and calm them down, but remain unpatronizing and truthful throughout. For many people, this is a skill they develop through their lives, so for a child to have that kind of insight is uncommon.

/2cents

I think Ender is a gifted child. When I was reading EG, I kept on forgetting that Ender was like 6-8 for the most of it. And he saved the world when he like 11/12 for crying out loud! If thats not gifted, then I dont know what is.

I think gifted kids are one of a kind. and sure enough Ender is one of a kind.

I think this is a bit of a trick question.

Is Ender gifted? Undoubtedly. However, the question is: Is he a great example of a gifted child.

Now, what is meant by "great example". Firstly, this is a positive description, one which suggests that the actions carried out by Ender in the story are admirable, noble, or worthwhile. Now, it's easy on first consideration to say that this can be said to be true. He is Earth's hero who saves them from the evil alien race.

However, the question is clearly asking for a more in-depth look into what Ender does and why he does it. The book portrays Ender as a ruthless killer from the very beginning. Ender intentionally murders two people in order to save himself from an uncertain fate. Throughout the story, Ender is aware of his ability to manipulate the people around him, and he uses this to inspire devotion to him and rise through the ranks of Battle School extremely quickly. However, when Ender encounters someone who is not willing to bow down and worship him, he orchestrates a situation where he can callously dispose of that person without repercussion.

When it comes to the Buggers Ender may be free of responsibility for being tricked into the leading the annihilation of an entire sentient species, but he himself admits that had he known, he would have taken the same actions anyway. And can Ender be viewed as a great example of anything, when even within the Enderverse he is regarded as monster for what he did (in the sequels)?

Go with this answer, feel free to expand on my ideas.

If by gifted child you mean child prodigy, then yes. Ender is a great example of a child over-achiever.
But is he happy with that? Or is he even a child?
No.
Ender never wanted to be the gifted child. He hated when the other kids in Battleschool looked up to him as a teacher instead of a friend. He never got the chance to be a child, so in that sense, you cannot call him a gifted child.
He has a gifted mind, but once Battleschool sinks in, there is nothing child-like about Ender.

I agree with all points that have been made thus far. I know it's bad and kinda 'against the law' to just say ' I agree' or vice versa, I don't know how else to explain my thoughts in anyway different from your own.

I think he his a great example! Its already been said that the two deaths made by his hands were not intentional and he was merely trying to prevent the same situation happening over and over again. But to doubt or go against him not being a great example is hard to do when there is no comparison with anyone else. By the standards that Ender has set in his life I believe he is the definition of a great example of a child genious/ prodigy.

I am certain that Ender is gifted. The only question is whether he is a child.

Hah! What a Card-ian thing to say terresa ^.^