Good vs. Evil in John Gardner's Grendel

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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.

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