Isolation In Letter To Students By John Gardner

The nihilists of today’s society often feel that life has no purpose or justification. In one’s existence, total loneliness can lead to this type of hopelessness. The overall belief that life is a series of accidents and nothing has meaning in the world can result in isolation from civilization. In John Gardner’s letter to the students, he uses word choice and comparison to persuade the reader that those who isolate themselves from society will develop the belief that everything is hopeless. Gardner expresses his argument to the readers through word choice that those outcasted from society believe that nothing has meaning. The extensive use of vocabulary is prevalent throughout the letter, as he is relaying this message to the readers. For instance, Gardner states,
“Grendel is at first tempted to accept these values, but because he’s rebuffed--since he’s funny looking and scary (but all of us are freaks in certain ways, and if one gives up because people different from oneself at first reject you, everything’s hopeless)--Grendel inclines to deny all values as ‘lies.’” (Gardner). …show more content…
This relates to the isolation because as one is rejected from society, they will begin to believe that everything is impairable. In addition, Gardner’s use of vocabulary correlates to his argument on nihilistic point of views. Because nihilism is the belief that nothing has meaning in life, he argues through word choice in his letter that, “Grendel gives up all hope and faith...perhaps at last he’s found someone who can kill him and end his stupid, pointless, and loveless existence” (Gardner). His use of the word “pointless” represents the nihilistic argument that if one is rejected from society then nothing has meaning. Therefore, Gardner’s argument through word choice shows the reader that isolation results in hopeless thoughts and