Whether in the form of a human or an unearthly creature, monsters are implemented in cultures world-wide. From political ads to deeper social issues, monsters and their seemingly inherent traits portray the not-so-pretty realities of humanity. Traits that are often associated with monsters are not always the result of the monster’s nature. External influences, or nurture in the case of nature vs. nurture, have a greater influence in the formation of a monster due to the reality of societal neglect. Frankenstein’s monster, otherwise known as the Creature, is a well-known example of how external influences create a true monster. Most humans base their opinions of an individual on their outward appearance and due to the creature’s appalling appearance, …show more content…
It is helpful to see the world from Grendel’s perspective, especially when he explains that “it was confusing and frightening, not in a way [he] could untangle”(Gardener 36). The supposed monster of the story is terrified by the actions of humanity. This concept supports the idea that Grendel was not born a monster and that his experience in the world is what influenced his desire to kill. With the ability to witness the world through Grendel’s perspective, readers see that there is a clear transition in his behavior. Monsters like Grendel “emphasize similarity between the monstrous and the human, and thus they comment on the behaviors of humankind”(Lake and Cooper). Humankind can often be defined in the same way that a monster can. In an effort to define Grendel as a monster, the Danes lump themselves into a category of monstrous behavior. Unknown to the Danes, their actions disgusted Grendel, making him able to reason that their destruction was not wasteful or meaningless. Although Penguins of Madagascar is a seemingly juvenile example, Dave the octopus represents a modern monster who is shaped by
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
Jeffery Cohen's first thesis states “the monster's body is a cultural body”. Monsters give meaning to culture. A monsters characteristics come from a culture's most deep-seated fears and fantasies. Monsters are metaphors and pure representative allegories. What a society chooses to make monstrous says a lot about that society’s people. Monsters help us express and find our darkest places, deepest fears, or creepiest thoughts. Monsters that scare us,vampires, zombies, witches, help us cope with what we dread most in life. Fear of the monstrous has brought communities and cultures together. Society is made up of different beliefs, ideas, and cultural actions. Within society there are always outcasts, people that do not fit into the norm or do not follow the status quo. Those people that do not fit in become monsters that are feared almost unanimously by the people who stick to the status quo.
In John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, Grendel has a lifelong struggle of finding who he is and where he fits into society. In his youth, Grendel is very new to the world around him and feels vulnerable. Soon however, Grendel meets man and begins to be influenced and shaped by their customs and ways.Through the continual influence of society, Grendel turns to and accepts his violent nature and begins to justify senseless killings, thus falling into man’s way.
Grendel as a character is very intelligent, he is capable of rational thought at all times. Because of this, at sometimes during the story I would forget Grendel is a monster, the way he acts in his thoughts and actions I would mistake him for a human; at times I was even feeling bad for Grendel because he is a very lonely person who tries to understand all of the meaningless of the world around him. Grendel can never get to close to
The presence of a bull prompts a shift in Grendel’s purpose in life from remaining obedient to his mother as a young child to being the creator of the world as he transitions into adulthood. As a young monster, Grendel motive’s coincide with his mother since she is the only person who Grendel is able to communicate with. He feels “Of all the creatures I knew, only my mother really looked at me...We were one thing, like the wall and the rock growing out from it… ‘Please, Mama!’ I sobbed as if heartbroken” (Gardner 17-19). His emotions demonstrate that as a child, he doesn’t consider himself as an individual but rather as embodying the same identity as his mother, which is further emphasized by the use of the simile. Additionally, Grendel’s use
In Grendel, by John Gardner, there is considerable disquietude, but there are also moments of pleasure as well. The cause of these contrasting feelings is most often Grendel himself. As he changes from a purposeful and almost kind creature to a very cruel monster that scorns hope, we find ourselves feeling both pleased and upset at different times. In this element, though, lies a much greater purpose than simply good literature - it helps the reader understand the importance of human values.
There are many characters that are involved in the novel, Grendel by John Gardner, which have meaning and we can identify ourselves with them. For example, Grendel is the main character. I will be writing about Grendel because I think he is the most important character of this novel. I like Grendel because he seems like if he was human but, is really an intelligent monster who eats people. What I dislike about Grendel is that he observes people. I don’t like the fact that Grendel basically spies humans. Since, the author identifies the three stages in his live being: childhood, adulthood, and his battle with Beowulf. Grendel is characterized as innocence but, in the other hand as a monster. Grendel was big in size, and had the strength of many. But he was not brave at all. He is described as a large figure with the strength to pick up the weight of a grown man and consume him whole. 1 But, Grendel is shown as somewhat of a
In the book, Grendel, by John Gardner, the author describes Grendel as more human than a monster. For instance, Grendel claims that, “it is a matter of fact that I have never killed a deer in all my life, and never will” (Gardner 8). This shows that Grendel is a kind person who would never hunt animals. This also means that Grendel cares about the animals and he know that they are scared of him. He also goes on and explains that these animals don’t know what is going on around them and they are like an innocent people.
Grendel is born a neutral being, perhaps even good, but nevertheless, without hate. The transition which he undergoes to become evil is due to misunderstandings between himself and humans and also meeting with a dragon who is questionably evil. As a young “monster”, Grendel knew nothing other than the cave he lived in and his mother who could not speak any distinguishable language. He was a playful creature who seemed to be like a “bla...
Archetypes refer to the persistently recurring symbols or motifs in literature. The term itself has its origins in ancient Greek and continues to play a prominent role in analyzing literature. Archetypal images and story patterns encourage readers to participate ritualistically in basic beliefs, fears, and anxieties of their age. These archetypal features not only constitute the eloquence of the text but also tap into a level of desires and concerns of civilization. The Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, integrates many of the common archetypes that still exist today. The outcast archetype is one that particularly expressed the desires, anxieties and values of the people who lived during the Beowulf era. Grendel, a character of monstrous appearance and hazily human emotion, is portrayed as the principal outsider in Beowulf. The incorporation of a banished character against his fellow society effectively expressed the anxiety and fears that the Anglo-Saxon culture felt towards seclusion and abnormality, caused by a societal absorption in family lineage and traditionalism.
A monster can be characterized by an extreme deviation from the normal standards of society including an internal or external wickedness. In the case of Mary Shelley’s Creature, his appearance overwhelms those who lay eyes upon him. A mere glance can send a villager running for the hills. It was not until the Creature caught a glance of his own reflection that he understood why villagers were so afraid of him. The realization of his ghastly appearance began the monster’s journey into hopelessness. In Peter Brooks’ article he writes, “Self recognition as the ‘filthy type’ completes the mirror stage of the Monsters development.” (Brooks 377). Seeing oneself as ugly and slovenly can cast shadows on even the most compassionate of hearts.
John Gardner’s Grendel is the retelling of the heroic epic poem Beowulf; however, the viewpoint has shifted. Grendel is told from the viewpoint of one of Beowulf’s antagonists and the titular character of Gardner’s work—Grendel. In Grendel, Gardner humanizes Grendel by emphasizing parallels between Grendel’s life and human life. Through Gardner’s reflection of human feelings, human development, and human flaws in Grendel, this seemingly antagonistic, monstrous character becomes understood and made “human.”
After his creation, Frankenstein’s monster is left in isolation, cursed to endure people’s hatred towards him. This revulsion met by onlookers is merely based on the creature’s hideous looks. The monster is not actually a monster at all. He displays more humanity than many other characters in Frankenstein. The ultimate irony is that the prejudicial belief is what caused the reanimated human to become a monster. In the nature versus nurture debate, proponents of the nature theory believe that a person is unchanging and that one’s experiences do not affect that person’s behavior. If this were true, the monster would not change as a result of his interactions with humans. It is undeniable that the creature does immoral things, but when Frankenstein’s monster saves a little girl from drowning, Mary Shelley takes a clear stance that the creature was naturally noble but became monstrous as a result of interactions with humans.
Shelley and Wilde write about how easy it is for a person to be influenced to commit monstrous acts to society due to a lack of approval from those who matter. “The Creature makes us sympathize with him because he only wants to be loved by one of his own. Dorian Gray captures our sympathy throughout the whole book because he is just an ordinary young kid who gets corrupted by Lord Henry and, ultimately, has his life ruined” (Andrew). Victor Frankenstein and Lord Henry Wotton fail their creations. They show the creations no love and do not give them the adoration that is necessary for anyone to feel accepted. This leads to not only the creations to become monstrous, but it makes the creators look monstrous due to their failure. The creations turn monstrous, because of the monstrous creators they are influenced by. Shelley and Wilde show that monsters are created by the influences around
Edgar Allen Poe most commonly known for his short stories, poems, and descriptive language in is writings, also wrote the story of "Cask of Amontillado". Mr. Poe uses several different descriptive words to set the tone for his story. From the very beginning of the story we know that it will be an eerie, sadistic, vengeful story. Mr. Poe speaks of revenge against a drunken jester who hurt his pride and humiliated his narrator.