John Gardner’s Grendel

 Grendel is derived from Beowulf.  John Gardner turned the one-sided “evil” monster into a 3-dimensional character.  We see Grendel struggle to find meaning in life. This work is ultimately philosophical. Grendel explores what it means to be “human.”

Gardner wrote, “Hopefully all readers will enjoy [Grendel] and recognize the central question, namely: if the world really is meaningless, how should I live?”  We will discuss the many possible answers to this question.

 a philosophical movement that views the individual and the individual’s experience as the basis for understanding the nature of human existence.  In other words, each individual creates his or her own meaning.

 is a belief in freedom and accepts the consequences of individual actions  acknowledges the responsibility that comes with the making of choices.  prefers subjectivity  views humans as “subjects” in an indifferent and often uncertain universe.

 Jean Paul Sarte argued that human beings are unable to achieve a rational basis for their lives, and thus, life is a “futile passion.”  Gardner’s recreation of Grendel is in some ways based on Sarte’s ideas of existentialism.  It’s important to note here –  Gardner has said, point blank, that he dislikes Sarte. So, is Grendel an example of “What to do” or “What NOT to do?”

 The belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can really be known or communicated.  associated with extreme pessimism  associated with skepticism  condemns existence.  A true nihilist would  1) believe in nothing,  2)have no loyalties, and  3) have no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy the things and people around them.

 Friedrich Nietzsche very famously argued that, “God is Dead.” What he meant was that he believed the absolutist morality that had reigned for centuries was dead.  Nietzsche was not a nihilist to the extent that he wanted to destroy life. Nietzsche saw nihilism as a state of being to overcome ~which is where existentialism comes in – the individual creating meaning for their own existence.

 The idea that people can abandon free will and become mindless parts in a “machine,” often times without realizing this is happening.  In a “machine” there is no need to worry about the right/wrong of functioning – one simply does.  Grendel seems to think we are all machines, “blind, mindless, mechanical.”  “Mechanism” is in direct opposition to existentialism, which emphasizes human freedom, choice, and responsibility.

 Images and references to “machinery” appear often in Grendel’s thoughts.  We will booknote these references!  These images of machinery help us understand how Grendel views himself and his world.

DEF = a reference to another text that an educated reader would know.  An allusion adds layers of meaning to the text in which the allusion appears. An allusion allows an author to add meaning without didactically explaining the meaning to the reader.  In this text we will specifically be looking at Biblical allusions.

 Be sure to booknote references to Grendel’s cave.  We will be looking at Gardner’s deeper meaning and the reasons he has Grendel use allusions to describe his cave.

 A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.  EXAMPLE: Premise – If a triangle is scalene then it has 3 unequal sides. Premise – If a triangle has 3 unequal sides, then it has 3 unequal angles. You can use the law of syllogism to conclude that: If a triangle is scalene, then it has 3 unequal angles.

 Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, believed that a correctly formed syllogism was the best, most rational tool by which men could test the truth.  The Dragon in Grendel, however, mocks “logic.” The sees all things across time and space and laughs at men who believe they can “understand” facts or the world. “They only think they can think” (64).

DEF = a Latin expression, used in English to mean an essential or necessary quality or condition.  The Dragon will use this term to criticize the human tendency to only acknowledge isolated facts.  “There are no facts,” the dragon says. How does this quote connect to existentialism?

DEF = a Latin phrase meaning, “Nothing comes from nothing.” Grendel thinks, “Nihil ex nihilo” at the end of Chapter 10. He is fitful and upset – Does this mean HE is “nothing”?

 What gives meaning to life?  Could a society exist without language?  How much of a person’s behavior is determined by his environment and his Nature? How much is determined by free will?

 There is a struggle within every individual and within every society between good and evil.  Art and The Artist are essential parts of developing a civilization and affirming the moral meaning of life.  Every individual craves community with others.

 How does Grendel achieve a level of empathy in the reader?  How is Grendel humanized?  How does Grendel’s perspective influence the story? Perspective