Grendel by John Gardner is a book that explores the essence of being a human. He finds the raw emotion that is hidden within every individual and explores the feelings that exist because of those emotions. The book is an analysis of the characteristics and the fundamental laws of being human and examines the attributes that the monster Grendel possesses. The book Grendel leaves one with the confusion of which creature is more vile: humans or Grendel. However, Grendel is a result of his environment, which unfortunately was a strongly negative influence. The humans on the other hand, have a great grasp of what society expects of them and does not abide by the set standards. Within this book the real monsters are humans and not Grendel.
From the beginning of the book, Gardner causes the reader to identify with the human qualities of the beast Grendel. Grendel sounds so much more human with these feelings and emotions that it evokes sympathy from the reader. Readers can relate to these feelings and therefore pity Grendel and his later actions are more understandable. A creature who is anxious to learn, has a desire to make friends and longs to be accepted within the community. Grendel does not comprehend the reason for this rejection and begins to question and study the world around him. This all in search of an answer to explain his loneliness. The book starts with Grendel observing animals and their natural behaviors. He comes to the conclusion that animals react on instincts and can therefore never change the way they respond to a certain situation. The bull that charged him will always charge him in the same way and knows only limited ways in which to fight. He is therefore unable to strategize and plan accordingly, which leaves him at a disadvantage if his attacker is an animal of larger proportions or strength. .
Grendel questions human nature and in his animalistic nature cannot understand how humans commit acts out of emotions - such as anger, jealousy and revenge- while animals act in order to survive.
In 1971, American author John Gardner wrote "Grendel." With a mastermind of creativity, John Gardner successfully retells the classic epic poem, "Beowulf." ... On July 21, 1933 John Gardner was born in Batavia, New York. ... A petty character in "Beowulf," Grendel symbolizes "darkness, chaos, and death," says John M. Howell in his book "Understanding John Gardner." ...
Context: John Champlin Gardner was born in Batavia, New York, on July 21, 1933, the eldest of four children. His father, John Champlin, was a dairy farmer and Presbyterian preacher. ... Thurston became Gardner's mentor, and under his direction, Gardner decided to become a writer. ... Grendel brought Gardner instant national recognition. ... In 1980, Gardner divorced Joan and married Liz Rosenberg. ...
John Champlin Gardner was born in Batavia, New York, on July 21, 1933. ... Gardner uses the characters to retell the story of Grendel and Beowulf in his novel, Grendel. ... (John Champlin Gardner) Gardner was explaining to the critics that he does believe in God and they should keep in mind that this was a fiction story and it is not real. ... John Champlin Gardner was an American writer, teacher, lecturer, and prolific writer of fiction, children's books, and poetry. Grendel is Gardner's most famous work and Grendel is the retelling of a poem Beowulf. ...
However, in John Gardner's Grendel, an entirely different point of view pervades throughout the novel. ... When Grendel wrecked the sacred images of the Scyldings? ... In a larger sense, Gardner implies that we as humans cannot allow our religious beliefs to[gaze] thoughtfully at nothing? ... Not only does Gardner present a complete lack of faith in the priests, but he also indicates a total distrust in the Scyldings gods, especially the Great Destroyer. ... and Ork, Grendel's priest friend, 'sat shaking his head in dismay?...
Grendel; Foe or Friend John Gardner's novel Grendel gives the reader a new perspective on the classic "Good vs. ... Grendel expresses absolutely no hostile intentions towards these "ridiculous- (Gardner, p.24) creatures that "moved by clicks-. (Gardner, p.24) The men do not understand what Grendel is and are very nervous about the whole situation. ... - (Gardner, p.50) in the hope of salvation from men. ... (Gardner, p. 73) He further explains that without Grendel the "men would have nothing to which to compare their lives-. ...
(Gardner 150) These are the words of the infamous Grendel from the novel, Grendel, by John Gardner. ... (Gardner 35) In this quote, Grendel is talking about what he sees only. ... (Gardner 52) This was the event that finally turned Grendel into a nihilist; it mattered not what he did, the humans were determined to hate him. ... (Gardner 73) Grendel stubbornly blurts out that he does not want to be the brute. ... (Gardner 150) ...
In the novel Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel was misunderstood and often mistaken for a monster. ... The question is, is Grendel truly a monster? ... For instance, the line "I let out a howl so unspeakable that the water at my feet turn sudden ice and even I myself am left uneasy" (Gardner pg.5) implies that not even Grendel is aware of the extent of his abilities. ... In comparison to Grendel, Grendel has been raised his whole life with virtually no interaction from his mother. ... The works of both John Gardner and Dr. ...
John Gardner's Grendel is seemingly a story based on the poem Beowulf. ... Gardner uses the dragon to illustrate the internal struggle within Grendel. ... Grendel is always questioning his existence. ... Grendel does not believe himself to be special. ... It is easy for one to see that John Carpenter's character of Grendel is representative of the belief of existentialism. ...
