Be proud, Bonito, pretty boy. You can go home and tell your father, Yes, I beat up Ender Wiggin, who was barely ten years old, and I was thirteen. And I had only six of my friends to help me, and somehow we managed to defeat him, even though he was naked and wet and alone--Ender Wiggin is so dangerous and terrifying it was all we could do not to bring two hundred.
In this excerpt from "Ender's Game," the character Bonito is celebrated for defeating Ender Wiggin, a prodigious and formidable young boy. The implication is that beating Ender, who was significantly younger and vulnerable at that moment, is something to boast about. This moment represents a manipulation of circumstances where Bonito and his friends take pride in besting someone they perceive as a threat, showcasing their collective bravado despite the inherent unfairness of the situation.
The passage illustrates themes of power dynamics and the misguided sense of victory often found in bullying. By emphasizing that Bonito and his friends only needed a small group to overpower an isolated Ender, it highlights not just their insecurities but also the fear that Ender instills in others. This encounter reflects the broader conflicts and challenges Ender faces throughout the narrative, marking the beginning of his journey against adversaries who underestimate his potential.
