Inocence and Hope

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             These conversation's, of Bean's and Sister Carlotta's, lead to many interesting (and sometimes disturbing) topics. The most important of them though is the search for moral structure, purpose and hope. Bean struggles to find these things, while Sister Carlotta has already found them, through her religion. She tries to help Bean with his search, but ultimately believes that he must find them for himself. I will be discussing the details of his search, and my thoughts on the ideals in question, in this paper.
             Now you might have reasoned from my writing in the intro, that I hold bean in high regard. It actually comes closer to awe. I am shell-shocked by the way that Bean thinks. He comes up with some of the most thought provoking idea's I have ever read. That, I think, is the reason why I love this book so much. There's something about child prodigies, or child genius", that spurs all kinds of adventures in one's mind. .
             Child hero's have been a favorite tool of writers for a very long time. People are fascinated by the idea that a child can accomplish all of these things. People are amazed and sometimes angry, that this child, this person who has lived several's years less than I have, is smarter than they are or ever will be. .
             These "children" are commanding some of the worlds greatest armies, because they have been trained in Battle School. Battle School is a place that the Intergalactic Fleet sends the most promising "children", to learn to become commanders. All of the children sent there are far and above the average intelligence of adults.
             Back to Bean. Bean grew up (until he was four) on the harsh streets of the city of Rotterdam. There, it was only kill or be killed. You had to be totally ruthless to survive. Even going to the local convent to get food was a challenge of strength. The bigger "bullies", of thirteen or fourteen, would be first in line to receive food. Then came the teen prostitutes.