At the beginnings of the chapters in this book, it has the dialogue between Graff and his commanding officer (usually it’s them) as a sort of prologue to the chapter.  It kind of makes you see the chapter in a different way, because it lets you see how Graff’s cruelty is needed to shape Ender in to the commander he needs to be.  Graff tells his commander that in order for Ender to be what they need, he can’t ever believe that there is someone there to help him.  Graff says that Ender can have friends; he just can’t have parents.

            Ender and the other “Launchies” are taken to their dormitory, where there are rows of bunks lined along the walls.  Ender was last there, so he pretends to be happy that the other kids have left him the lower bunk near the door.  A young teacher comes in and explains procedures to them, making everyone laugh at his jokes except Ender.  Nervous children are easy to make friends with, the book says.  They are led to the mess hall, where Ender sits by himself.  An older boy approaches Ender and tells him to kiss butts until everyone likes him, or else he’ll never be happy at the school.  Ender decides that he’ll never be like that boy, degrading himself just to be happy.

            I don’t agree with what the boy told Ender to do, but I feel bad for ender, inside he has already resigned himself to loneliness and misery at the school.