| Summary: | <p> Science fiction, since its earliest inceptions, has been a tool used often by authors to discuss and reveal societal issues. Orson Scott Card, following in the footsteps of the sci-fi giants before him such as Orson Wells, H.G. Wells, and Ray Bradbury, constructed the Ender’s Quintet in order to discuss problems of war, religion, and politics that were prevalent at the time of the novels’ construction. This thesis seeks to determine how Card uses science fiction themes and tropes as rhetorical devices in order to depicts the issues within his society. More specifically I will observe Card’s underlying Mormon agenda to determine the effectiveness of his work. The thesis is broken up into three sections: education, politics and religion. I will discuss how each part is dependent on the others and conclude with religion as one of Card’s main purposes for writing is based in his Mormon faith. In order to do this, I will analyze the novels using several of Kenneth Burke’s ideas including the definition of rhetoric, theory of identification, definition of man, and the pentad. I will apply Burke’s theories to Card’s work.</p>
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