John Gardner's novel Grendel gives the reader a new perspective on the classic "Good vs. From the start of the novel, the reader can tell that there is something is unique about the narrator. It is evident that the narrator has an observant personality, which can express Grendel in a poetic manner. The story is one the reader has most likely seen before, the battle between the glorious men (Thanes) and the "evil- beast. In this case, however, the "beast- is the eyes and ears of the reader. This, of course, forces the reader to analyze situations in the book in the same way that Grendel does. By using this viewpoint, the author allows his readers to see the other side of the coin. Therefore, throughout the course of the novel, the reader is able to understand how important Grendel is in defining the humans. .
Grendel's first encounter with humans is plainly defined as not pleasant. After accidentally trapping himself in a tree, Grendel is discovered by a group of men out on patrol. 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. Like animals, they are frightened of anything that is different from what they are accustomed. When Grendel attempts to communicate, they show their ignorance and simple-mindedness. Instead of taking the time to understand the anomaly in their world, they panic and decide to destroy it. Grendel is the go-between of twenty-five centuries of philosophy because he is not human. Grendel has no vested interest in any one philosophy; he is searching for the best way to live in the world' (Nihilism website; middle of article). (Without being able to view the story from Grendel's point of view, the reader might assume that the humans had every right to attack). .
Another example of the same type of simple-mindedness is their second premature attack on Grendel.
The character Grendel in both works Grendel and Beowulf portray him in different lights. ... In Grendel, Grendel is characterized as a ridiculously hairy creature. ... In Beowulf and Grendel the character Grendel hides in the woods. ... Grendel makes Grendel a self-understanding creature. ... In a sense, Grendel is the story of Beowulf told by Grendel's perception. ...
Many times Grendel seems to be walking a fine line between the two. ... Grendel the truth-teacher, phantasm- tester! ... (110) In this quote Grendel is expressing his need to kill Wealtheow to teach the Danes that reality is not ideal but in actuality he displays his feelings of hatred for her because she represents everything Grendel canhave. ... This could be a compassionate side of Grendel sowing itself because Grendel has feelings for Wealtheow so it would not allow him to kill her. ... Although Grendel is considered a primitive beast the chain of events that lea...
While Grendel was full of themes, one of the main ones I noticed was Grendel's desire for community. Grendel is isolated from civilization because he is a monster. ... Therefore, Grendel is a lot like a teenager himself. ... First of all, Grendel desires acceptance into society. ... However, Grendel is a dynamic character. ...
In Grendel, by John Gardner, the humans had the opportunity to understand the monster Grendel, but wouldn"t give him a chance because he was different. ... Instead of eating Unferth, Grendel toys with him. The first time they met Grendel was throwing apples at him. ... Grendel basically demonstrated human thought process. ... Grendel had no intention of killing Unferth. ...
Grendel Final 1. ... This bothers Grendel, because she has had to give up the life she would have wanted, being forced to marry the king, all because of him. ... This is what Grendel has been wondering all along. 3. ... Grendel would just think that if he wasn't there to murder that then, his sole purpose is to murder. 6. ... The story would like to lead you to the conclusion that man is the true evil, but even the text states that overall Grendel is evil, and was damned for Cain's sin, so even if man is the judge, Grendel is still the one compelled to murder. ...
Grendel Passage THESIS: Through the language that he uses, Grendel realizes that he has meaning. In the passage on pages 79 - 80, Grendel has just begun to launch his raids on man. ... In this example, one can see the meaning that Grendel has been searching for through the language that he uses. ... He realizes his purpose and that it "[he] was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings" (80). ... A bond now exists between man and Grendel, something Grendel has always wanted, and because of this bond, they each create meaning for the other. ...
The word Grendel itself sounds like a monsters name and makes you picture it in your head what Grendel actually looks like. ... Grendel encounters a ram, the ram doesn't pay attention to Grendel and it upsets him. ... This is the twelfth year of Grendel's war. ... After Grendel meets the dragon, Grendel becomes a beast of pure destruction. ... Grendel shows another conflict however. ...
Grendel "Nothing was changed, everything was changed." ... Grendel went to visit the dragon to seek advice after hearing the Shaper's song. ... Grendel is angry and upset with the dragon because of this. ... Soon after Grendel's view of men changes, he begins his war with men and all that matter's to them. Grendel's awe of the Shaper became hatred and the Shaper's song began to enrage him. ...
