Introduction

The much-loved science fiction series Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card has intrigued readers since its inception. However, the universe of this novel teems with plot holes, some more baffling than others. One such area of confusion revolves around the ages of key characters, such as Bean and Petra. In this article, we delve into the possible ages of Bean and Petra, offering a detailed analysis based on the series' narrative and clues within the books.

The Puzzle of Bean's Age

Leon "Bean" Petra-Johnson, a central figure in the Ender's Shadow trilogy by Orson Scott Card, first came under Colonel Graff's attention at an age that, while uncertain, can be estimated. In the Ender's Shadow series, Colonel Graff mentions that Bean, who is only six at the time, is in fact working with top-secret intelligence. This statement is pivotal in determining Bean's age.

From this dialogue, we can infer that Bean is initially around 5 or 6 years old during the conversations with Graff. As Bean is older than Ender by 4 years, and Ender was 13 when he began his journey to Shakespeare, we can deduce that Bean would have been around 9 or 10 years old when he arrived on Earth. This is further supported by Bean's self-reference in the Ender's Game series, where he mentions being 5 in the past tense. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Bean was around 9 or 10 when he arrived at Earth.

The Riddle of Petra's Age

Ch portfolios and the character of Petra Arkanian are equally intriguing. In Ender's Game, Petra is depicted as a toon leader in Salamander Army when Ender joins, indicating she is consistently described as being at least 3 years older than Ender. However, the series' timeline and her age in Shadow Puppets complicate this straightforward calculation. According to the Shadow Puppets novel, Petra is held captive by the Battle School, which lasts approximately a year before Bean rescues her. This means that Petra would have been around 16 years old when she was rescued, and if we add a year for their marriage, we can estimate that they were around 17 or 18 at the time of their marriage.

Alternatively, if we consider the timeline from the point when Ender left to go to Shakespeare to the point when Bean arrived at Earth, Petra would have been about 18 or 20 years old when they married, based on the additional events that occurred in Bean's life during these years.

Conclusion

In the complex and richly detailed world of Ender's Game, the ages of Bean and Petra present a fascinating puzzle. While there are no definitive answers within the series, the analysis provided suggests that Bean was likely around 9 or 10 years old when he arrived on Earth, and Petra was around 17 or 18 years old when they married. These estimations rely on the narratives provided in the books and the relative ages of other characters, offering a plausible framework for understanding the timeline of these characters' lives.

Further Reading and Discussion

For those interested in exploring this topic further, the forum post titled Ages in Shadow Series offers additional insights and discussions. These discussions, although inconclusive, provide a valuable perspective on the inconsistencies and unique challenges presented by the Ender's Game universe.