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Summary Study Guide: Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

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Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead is a classic science fiction novel that explores the themes of empathy, forgiveness, and the nature of humanity. The book tells the story of Ender Wiggin, the hero of Card's previous novel, Ender's Game. After the events of Ender's Game, Ender has become a Speaker for the Dead, a person who is hired to speak for the dead at their funerals.

Speaker for the Dead is a complex and thought-provoking novel that has been praised for its beautiful writing, its insightful characters, and its exploration of important themes. This study guide will provide you with a summary of the book, an analysis of its characters, and a discussion of its themes.

Speaker for the Dead begins with Ender Wiggin being hired to speak for the dead at the funeral of a man named Miro. Miro was a member of the Piggies, an alien race that Ender encountered during the events of Ender's Game. Ender is initially reluctant to speak for Miro, but he eventually agrees to do so.

Summary & Study Guide Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

by Frank Sargeant

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	154 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	48 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

As Ender prepares for the funeral, he learns more about the Piggies and their culture. He also learns about the events that led to Miro's death. Ender comes to believe that Miro was killed by the humans, and he begins to question his own role in the events that led to Miro's death.

At the funeral, Ender delivers a powerful speech in which he speaks for the dead and for the living. He calls for peace and understanding between the humans and the Piggies. Ender's speech is well-received, and it helps to bring about a new era of peace between the two races.

Ender Wiggin is the protagonist of Speaker for the Dead. He is a complex and flawed character who is struggling to come to terms with his own past. Ender is a brilliant strategist and tactician, but he is also haunted by the guilt of his actions in Ender's Game.

Miro is a member of the Piggies who is killed by the humans. Miro is a peaceful and gentle creature who is trying to bridge the gap between the humans and the Piggies.

Novinha is a young Piggie girl who becomes Ender's friend. Novinha is a curious and intelligent child who is eager to learn about the human world.

Speaker for the Dead explores a number of important themes, including:

Empathy: Ender learns the importance of empathy through his experiences with the Piggies. He comes to understand that the Piggies are not the monsters that he was taught to believe they were.
Forgiveness: Ender struggles with the question of forgiveness throughout the novel. He must learn to forgive himself for his actions in Ender's Game, and he must also learn to forgive the humans for their treatment of the Piggies.
The nature of humanity: Speaker for the Dead raises questions about the nature of humanity. What does it mean to be human? Are humans inherently good or evil?

What do you think of Ender Wiggin as a character? Do you sympathize with him?
What do you think of the Piggies? Are they the monsters that Ender was taught to believe they were?
What do you think is the most important theme in Speaker for the Dead?
How does Speaker for the Dead challenge our understanding of humanity?

Speaker for the Dead is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Card's beautiful writing, insightful characters, and exploration of important themes make this book a must-read for any fan of science fiction.

Summary & Study Guide Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

by Frank Sargeant

4.8 out of 5