Fall 2011

Bean gets frustrated when Ender singles him out at practice. Ender says "I'm helping you ... Nobody would notice you, except to feel sorry for the little kid. But I made sure they all noticed you today" (243). But, Bean doesn't believe Ender. What do you think? Is Ender trying to help Bean or not?
Bean gets mad at Ender because Ender doesn't treat Bean with awe the way the rest of the kids do. Bean says Ender treats him "like nothing" (245). Why does Ender do this? Does Ender really think Bean is nothing, or is he treating Bean that way on purpose for a reason?
Bean says he "didn't find it easy to be nothing again" (245). Why does this bother Bean so much?

Ender singles Bean out at practices and refuses to give him his own toon until he proves himself. Yet, when a Dragon Army member named Fly complains about Ender behind his back, Bean defends Ender. Why? (Page 249)
Bean resolves the fight with Fly by saying “’I should have spoken with more respect’ … ‘But so should you’” (250). Fly responds saying “’I was out of line’” (250). What does this show about Bean? Is he learning how to relate to others? Do you agree with the way he handled this situation?
We discover that Bean and Nikolai are brothers. Given the title of the chapter, how many different ways of being brothers do you see?
Nikolai tells Major Anderson ""

On page 266 Bean says “I’ve changed … My body, of course. But also the way I think.” In what ways has he changed?
Bean also says on page 266: “In Rotterdam all I cared about was staying alive. But here, well fed, I’ve found out who I am. What I might be.” Who is he? What does he want to be?
In this chapter, Bean shows some real emotions for the first time. He admits to himself that he’s afraid to go to battle: “I’m a coward. The thought ran through Bean’s mind and filled him with terror” (268). What is he afraid of? Why?
Bean also shows some self doubt for the first time instead of his usual cockiness. He says: “No doubt even Wiggin didn’t really want him” (280). He also blames himself for Poke’s death and worries Ender will die, too: “Wiggin is going to end up like Poke. And it will be my fault again” (285). Where are these emotions coming from and why is he having them now?

In Dragon Army Bean starts to think more about his place in the command structure and about how he can use the skills he has to help Ender. He says: “He had two new courses of study. He would help Ender prepare for the war he cared about, with the Buggers. But, he would also help him in the street fight that was being set up for him” (302). How will Bean do this? Why is Bean the best person to help Ender in these ways?
Why is this chapter called "companion"?
This chapter ends the section of the book called Soldier. The next section of the book is called Leader. Has Bean learned to be a good soldier and is he ready to be a good leader? How? Why?