Gender Identity In Grendel

Throughout the history of the human race, societies have collectively established themselves as “one.” The human tendency to establish a binary in which all must fit perfectly inevitably leads to outsiders, or the Other. The ingrained urge to designate identities and particular behaviors into varying sects and categories still causes problems within any community. Today, this is most commonly seen in regards to gender identity, sexuality, religious background and practices, and ethnic backgrounds. Within the novel Grendel, human tribes are presented as in competition to outside tribes; a notion not unfamiliar in modern civilization. Dating back to the ancient time of Grendel, it is made clear that the Dane’s society has been unified through …show more content…
Within Grendel, the idea that Grendel is simply evil because the humans are not is made known through the Shaper’s storytelling. The idea that “good and evil” are not fluid, and rather are unwavering states of being, contributes to the animosity felt towards outsiders, both in the novel and in reality. Historical conflicts are often a result of close minded thinking that one group is of higher rank than the other without evidence. The idea of “racial superiority” is not based on facts, but stems from the desire for a group to distinguish themselves from another, in order to establish dominance and set societal trends that they, in turn, will benefit from. This established rivalry establishes an enemy population, creating cruel and confining systems. The Civil Rights movement in America, while still ongoing, fought to disprove theories of racial supremacy and unjust treatment. Since the dawn of American civilization, slavery and the idea of racial supremacy have had enormous impact. These false ideals contribute to the ongoing institutional structures such as racism, similar to the constant hatred directed towards Grendel. The Danes display nothing but hostility towards Grendel, yet ironically, he is a crucial part of their lives. He provides meaning for them, simply through his existence. The Shaper philosophizes that Grendel is inherently evil, and the humans inherently good. This provides an incentive to strive to be better, always at opposition with Grendel; “the race God cursed.” Whereas Grendel experiences doubt and experiments with different ideas in an attempt to find his place in the world, the humans are certain of theirs. “That’s where the Shaper saves them. Provides an illusion of reality- puts together all their facts with a gluey whine of connectedness” (65). Because the humans have an enduring acceptance of the Shaper’s words to be true, they never have cause for doubt or