Good vs. Evil in John Gardner's Grendel
John Gardner's novel Grendel gives the reader a new perspective on
the classic "good vs. Evil" plot. From the start of the book the reader
can tell that there is something very unique about the narrator. It is
evident that the narrator is a very observant being that can express
himself in a very poetic manner. The story is one the reader has most
likely seen before, the battle between the glorious 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 the human beings that he literally
defines is not a pleasant one. After accidentally trapping himself in a
tree he is discovered by a group of thanes out on patrol. Grendel
expresses absolutely no hostile intentions towards these "ridiculous" (ch.2,
pp.24) creatures that "moved by clicks." (ch.2, pp.24) The thanes do not
understand what Grendel is and are very uneasy about the whole situation.
Like animals they are frightened of anything that is different from what
they are used to. 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. 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.
After hearing the shaper's words Grendel weeps, "'Mercy! Peac e!'"(ch.4,
pp.50) in the hopes of salvation from the god of these men. The men, in a
drunken state, merely misunderstand Grendel's intentions and attack him
once again. Instead of killing the men, which would have been an easy task
for the giant, Grendel escapes into the night. This action alone defines
the men as the "beasts" and Grendel as the victim.
Throughout John Gardner’s Grendel, the audience bears witness to a creature who has been ostracized by the world around him. Throughout his journey, the stories protagonist tries to live out his own life the way he wants to, despite being labeled as evil by those around him. Due to this constant criticism by his peers, he develops an inferiority complex that he desperately tries to make up for as the story progresses. Throughout his development, Grendel very rapidly moves past his existentialist beginning, through a brief phase of forced skepticism, and into a severely nihilistic point of view.
I am Grendel who once lived at the Danish neighborhood ruled by the righteous king Hrothgar who was just and fair in his kingship. I came from Cain’s ancestry. According to the bible, Cain is popularly known by Christians as the first person to commit murder. I was in isolation from humans because I came from a cursed lineage. I could not change the perception Hereots had about me as an evil monster. I did not prefer to be from Cain’s bloodline. People thought I was evil because I came from Cain’s lineage and as a result, they deemed me an outcast and did not want to associate with me.
Grendel, as a character, has a much more complex identity than just a monster and a human. Some, such as Ruud, classify him as a mixture of three different characteristics, but alone, they tend to conflict with each other. By making the connection that Grendel represents immorality, the previous idea makes more sense, while simultaneously incorporating more aspects of the character into the analysis. In either case, Grendel represents much more than meets the eye, and provides a fascinating insight into
Ethics is a wide field of philosophical study to which the core of every question within falls to one side of a blurred line. On the right, is good; the value which is popularly believed to be the correct alignment for which a person should live their life according to. On the left, is evil; that which is the cause of most human misery, and prevents peace on earth. In John Gardner’s book Grendel, the retelling of the ages old story Beowulf, further blurs the line between good and evil. Circumstance and perhaps a confused view of reality allow the monster, Grendel, to conceivably defend his evil beliefs. In order to better understand evil, using Grendel as a guide, I intend to attempt to justify it.
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In Chapter 8, Grendel exclaims, “I’m a machine. Like all of you. Blood-lust and rage are my character,” (Gardner 123). This profound statement establishes a connection between Grendel and the ambiguous “you,” the reader. The monster, though he confesses to his wrongdoing, asserts that readers are no better than he. Countless bible verses reiterate this concept: “For all have sinned,” (Romans 3:23) “[Humans] are all. .impure with sin,” (Isaiah 64:6). Gardner’s reminder to readers of mankind’s predisposition to sin earns pity for the monster. He expands on these sympathies by describing the nature of Grendel’s lonely existence. “But there was one thing worse,” Grendel states after discovering the dragon’s charm, “no weapon could cut me,” (Gardner 75). In this moment, nihilism overcomes Grendel; if fighting poses no danger, it has no purpose, and neither does he. Any reader who has had an experience which challenged his or her values cannot help but feel empathetic towards the purposeless creature. Perhaps more piteous, however, is the suggestion that Grendel has no choice in being “the dark side. . the terrible race God cursed,” (Gardner 51). The dragon condemns Grendel as “the brute existent by which [humans] learn to define themselves,” telling him that it is worthless to better his character (Gardner 72). It is not until after
Grendel is alone; he can not know God’s love and be comforted. He is an outcast, and the sins of his forefather have fallen upon him. Evil can not stand God being glorified just as the praising of God by the Danes angered Grendel.
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Wealth or family? A life old question that is yet to be answered. The choice is very difficult, the outcome is spontaneous. Stuck in the middle, with no way out but disaster. After a disaster nothing gets better, the sight of hope is lost as a person’s gnarled mind takes over and nothing from that point on is predictable. This concept is conveyed throughout The Pearl written by John Steinbeck, the main character Kino is faced with this decision. Steinbeck uses motifs of Good vs. Evil and different songs expressed through Kino’s thoughts throughout the book. Greed can alter a person’s thoughts making them do unpredictable things.
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