ohn Gardner’s Grendel tells a compelling story that is completely centered around, and narrated by, the title character, Grendel. Many readers have previous knowledge of the monster from the epic poem, Beowulf. In the poem, Grendel is depicted as senseless, monster than killed at random for no apparent reason. This is also similar to Grendel’s depiction in the Beowulf film. However, John Gardner introduces a new perspective of Grendel, and challenges all previous perspectives by humanizing Grendel. Gardner displays the monster’s inner philosophical troubles that include having unanswered questions to his true purpose in the world, and why humanity is the way that it is. Also, Gardner makes some readers feel sympathy for Grendel by giving him
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Communicating effectively is crucial in forming positive relationships with people, such as one’s mother or their general surroundings. Relationship problems develop when individuals have a lack of communication, or do not have the skills to communicate effectively. In the case of Grendel’s mother, verbal communication is almost nonexistent with the exception of random words that Grendel attempts to interpret. Grendel’s lack of communication with his mother caused a sense of loneliness at an early age, and once Grendel started to develop more mentally to the point where he began to question his purpose on Earth, she was unable to give him an answer. Though Grendel clearly cares for his mother, he is noticeably distant from her. This is what initially caused him to frequently venture out to mainland as a child. Since his mother could not answer his questions, once the dragon appeared with an extensive answer to his purpose, Grendel eagerly listened. However, the dragon informed Grendel that his purpose was to cause chaos and kill humans, and with this being the only answer that anyone have ever given him, Grendel went by the dragon’s philosophy. Also, from seeing how humans function and react violently to him, Grendel could see how the dragon’s conclusion could make
Communicating effectively is crucial in forming positive relationships with people, such as one’s mother or their general surroundings. Relationship problems develop when individuals have a lack of communication, or do not have the skills to communicate effectively. In the case of Grendel’s mother, verbal communication is almost nonexistent with the exception of random words that Grendel attempts to interpret. Grendel’s lack of communication with his mother caused a sense of loneliness at an early age, and once Grendel started to develop more mentally to the point where he began to question his purpose on Earth, she was unable to give him an answer. Though Grendel clearly cares for his mother, he is noticeably distant from her. This is what initially caused him to frequently venture out to mainland as a child. Since his mother could not answer his questions, once the dragon appeared with an extensive answer to his purpose, Grendel eagerly listened. However, the dragon informed Grendel that his purpose was to cause chaos and kill humans, and with this being the only answer that anyone have ever given him, Grendel went by the dragon’s philosophy. Also, from seeing how humans function and react violently to him, Grendel could see how the dragon’s conclusion could make