Eight Elements Of Grendel's Journey

Purpose, a concept of life that everyone strives for, is developed through experiences and changes. Grendel by John Gardner follows Grendel in his own search for purpose in a world where he is alone. His search is similar to a flowing river, always changing, diverting paths, and eventually drying up--ending. In chapter eleven, Grendel’s search is starting to come to an end with the arrival of foreigners and an eerie feeling that starts. He reflects on his life and the purpose that others have told and shown him and finally comes up with his own take on his life. Gardner uses the Aquarius sign, fate/free will theme, and existentialism philosophy to progress Grendel’s search for purpose and begin to consolidate it in chapter eleven. Grendel’s …show more content…
At the beginning of the chapter, fate is what is drawing Grendel to his new purpose, he feels this as he thinks, “It drew me in as the mind of the dragon once had. Its coming!” (151 - 152). Grendel has a sensation about the arriving Geats and can tell that they are tied to him, but does not know exactly why. As the story progress the two themes meet and cause a conflict within Grendel when thinking about the Geats and his purpose. Grendel says, “Afraid or not, I would go to the meadhall, I knew.” (157), but he is “toying” with the idea that he has his own free will when saying, “Am I not free? -- as free as a bird?” (157). He knows that something is pulling him to the Geats, though he wants to be able to choose his own way and purpose. At the end of the chapter, he finally finds his own purpose in this matter he states, “For old times’ sake, for the old priest’s honor, I would have to kill the stranger. And for the honor of Hrothgar's thanes” (159). Grendel pushes past the idea that fate is moving him towards strangers and makes his own purpose for going to fight them. Fate and freewill themes collide and push Grendel to find his own purpose, instead of just listening to