Ender's Game - Colonel Graff

[J-Lynn Van Pelt]

I think Graff is one of the most fascinating characters in the book. Card could have easily made him a one-dimensional voice representing the adult perspective. But, Graff is a fully developed, almost tragic character.

What do you think of Graff and Card's development of his character?

[KristenR]

I think Card did a good job developing Graff's character. Even as I despised how he was manipulating Ender and the other children, I found myself strangely sympathetic towards him.
At times he truly seems conflicted about his actions which he feels are necessary.

[Brooke]

I'm really glad we get to see things through his point of view. Card easily could have left out those conversations that begin each chapter and left the story to Ender's POV, but instead he gave us this whole other side.

[Angie]

I do like to be able to see what the Army is thinking at the beginning of each chapter. But I do also think that Graff is almost crazy about having the perfect solider. It has consumed him. I like how Card has added him though, and not just given the reader a child's point of view. It makes me wonder once the children graduate how will they react to being around a lot of adults since they have only been around children for many years, no real adult influence around.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt]

I agree Donna, next to Ender, I think he may be the most complex.

[Meghan]

I found it interesting that he was the fall guy at the end of story. He was the one who had to make the tough choices regarding Ender's training and well, raising. And he knew the results of his actions would give them the commander the army was asking for but at a price he wasn't sure was necessarily right. He was the only one (in the army) that seemed to be struggling with the idea of ends justifying the means.

I think out of everyone in the book, Graff was the most real. I don't think he is without fault, but I appreciated the honesty in which he was portrayed. There are people like him, making these kinds of choices, effecting lives. We rarely get to find out how their choices effect them. So I found it interesting to see how it effected him.