Orson Scott Card is an outstanding and widely recognized master of the science-fiction literature genre. His main ability which is highly valued by his admirers is transforming his remarkable scientific knowledge into a literature text. In the following paper, I have my goal to observe the way Orson Scott Card transforms scientific knowledge into a literary text in his book “Ender’s Game”.
First of all, the story plot of the book should be taken into consideration to understand what scientific facts may be put in requisition in it. “Ender’s Game” relates the story of a six-year Ender Wiggin who possesses unique abilities which the global government is going to make use of in the war with the Formics aliens. The card describes the very essence of Ender’s existence with the words: “It was what I was born for, isn’t it? If I don’t go, why am I alive?” (37). When Wiggin along with the other companions of his are getting ready for the military operation against the aliens numerous increasingly difficult exercises are applied. The novel mainly covers the preparation events taking place in the Battle School.
There are numerous cases when Card resorts to the use of scientific knowledge transformation in “Ender’s Game”. First of all, the conception of aliens’ nation should be considered. Card applied the whole row of biological facts describing the way this nation develops and forms new abilities and mechanisms. His knowledge of biology is solid and all the developments of the alien ant-like nation are connected with the real facts from biology science. The other piece of information from the field of biological science which is transformed in Card’s novel is Anton’s Key. Anton’s Key is a human DNA code; however, it is modified to allow people to show superhuman abilities. For example, this code encourages the constant development of new neurons which makes it possible to have ever-increasing thinking abilities, unlimited memory, physical dexterity, and language acquisition. Descolada, the fictional virus is another example from biology science found in the novel. This sophisticated life form is capable of modifying itself and may infect any other beings.
The other huge piece of scientific information is applied by the writer when speaking about the weapons applied in the Battle School. One of the weapons is the Molecular Disruption Device. Considering this intricate device it should be noticed that Card largely bases his logic on the conception of the covalent and ionic atomic bonding which causes chain reaction among the molecules producing such strong energy that its destructive power can be used to destroy such big objects as ships, fleets, and even planets. Thus Card shows his understanding of the field of chemistry.
Numerous cases when Card demonstrates a significant understanding of physical phenomena are evident in the “Ender’s game” novel. First of all, this is evident when he describes the machine enabling to hold training games in the conditions of zero gravity. The other such information is about Outside which is the other part of the Universe with very unusual characteristics. This bit of information is connected to the Theory of relativity and the basic information about collapsars. One more example of applying facts from physics is the theory of psilotic energy and the pilot parts. This theory is related to the building of atoms and molecules and the smallest parts of a substance. However, there are also cases when Card speaks about the facts that contradict our modern-day general knowledge. For example his mentioning of slowing of speech while in open space contradicts the Theory of relativity by ingenious Albert Einstein. Still communicating in the conditions of open cosmos described by Card does correspond to the facts from Twin paradox theory.
Yet another significant transformation of science into literary text is the description of the Philotic Web which has a lot in common with metaphysics and philosophy. Philotic Web is a sort of storage place where all the information gathered by the entire human race is gathered. And what is more intriguing this database keeps all the memories of humans.
There is also a relation to linguistic science in the novel. Stark language system is developed to be used as an interstellar communication device. This language was developed from IF Common. The last one is mentioned in the form of American English. Orson Scott Card explains all the peculiarities of the language system and its development with a great understanding of linguistics.
Card also indicates his remarkable understanding in the area of information technology science especially if to take into account the fact that the novel was written in 1985. The description of Philotic Parallax Instantaneous Communicator is very impressive. This device offers an opportunity to communicate thoughts faster than the speed of light. There are multitudes of different devices boggling the minds of the readers. Among them are the monitor enabling its users to see through the host’s eyes, the desk which made it possible for the users to perform varied tasks and exercises and also to evaluate different psychological facts, and ansible which a machine to analyze different hypothetic facts and Jane which is a generated scientist, sort of robot and sort of a human being.
The other sophisticated technologies connected to real scientific facts described by the author are Near to light speed travel spaceship, the Battle Room which is a training area with zero gravity, Battle Room Hook which is the measuring tool for the parameters of the Battle Room, the flash suits which are the weapons of unbelievable striking power and many more.
On more events where Card applied scientific facts was the communication of Ender and the unborn alien queen which was exercised in Ender’s dreams. This gives a hint to the field of parapsychology. And again the development of the event by the author demonstrates some solid facts from this science field.
The very important point in applying all the facts from different fields of science by Card is that he is very skilled in giving them literary forms intriguing the imagination of readers and adding a very special flavor to his writing style. Orson Scott Card won many important awards to prove the excellence of this talent. The most significant in the science fiction literature the Nebula Award for the best novel and the Hugo Award for the same achievement is among Card’s prominent accomplishments.
Concluding all the above-mentioned arguments the fact that Orson Scott Card is rather knowledgeable in varied areas of science should be stated. However, the most significant characteristic of his science-fiction writing talent is his ability to transform scientific facts into literature details able to boggle the minds of the most demanding readers.
Works Cited
Card, O. S. Ender’s Game. United States: Tor Science Fiction, 1994. Print.