Pride has been referred to as the original sin. Even Qing-jao, for as much as she tries to escape it, cannot help being condescending to Si-Wang-mu. Discuss ways in which Xenocide depicts pride as a stumbling block or obstacle to humanity.

Who is qualified to seek knowledge? The people of Path are supposed to be some of the brightest out of all of humanity but it is the people of Lusitania who develop faster than light travel, and solutions to both the descolada and the genetic problems of the people of Path. Likewise, virtually all the authorities in the Hundred Worlds are looking for the fleet, but it is sixteen year old Si Wang-mu, largely uneducated, who actually solves the mystery. What leads to discovery? How important is a post-secondary education in advancing knowledge?

The nature of existence. Card pushes this theme to the...