#117, Dialogue
This week we'll begin reading Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, one of the great science fiction works of this century, and my personal favorite novel of all time. Each chapter of Ender's Game starts off ominously, with dialogue between two characters. A dialogue is conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie. The first chapter, Third, starts,
“I’ve watched through his eyes, I’ve listened through his ears, and I tell you he’s the one. Or at least as close as we’re going to get.”
“That’s what you said about the brother.”
“The brother tests out impossible. For other reasons. Nothing to do with his ability."
“Same with the sister. And there are doubts about him. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will.”
“Not if the other person is his enemy.”
“So what do we do? Surround him with enemies all the time?”
“If we have to.”
“I thought you said you liked this kid.”
“If the buggers get him, they’ll make me look like his favorite uncle.”
“All right. We’re saving the word, after all. Take him.”
-Ender's Game, p. 1
The dialogue mimics real-life conversation and requires the reader be familiar with conversational English. The speakers' names aren't written and the reader must follow the flow of the dialogue carefully to determine who is speaking. It is a wonderful way to add a touch of realism to a story.
To complete this week's Journal response,
- Write a dialogue between two characters without revealing their identities. Characterize each of the speakers through their conversation. Make their personalities shine.
- Read one of your peer's responses and infer who the two speakers are. Explain how you inferred their identities.
- (Optional) Comment on one of your peer's responses.
-Brenden Lee Teacher
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