The Nurture Assumption by psychologist Judith Rich Harris outlines her discovery that the main influences on human children are their peers. The Grendel in Grendel by John Gardner may not be entirely human, but in this novel, we see that Grendel is vastly influenced by the other characters. Throughout Grendel’s life, his character and actions are affected by what he learns from his limited interactions and human observations. Grendel is negatively influenced by the dragon and the humans. The greatest change in Grendel’s character resulted from his meeting with the dragon.
During Grendel’s adolescence, when he is just figuring out who he is and who he wants to be, he is drawn to the dragon's lair. The dragon is an old and nihilistic character …show more content…
Until this point of the story, Grendel has been alone, encountering only the simplest of creatures, including his mother. However, Grendel admires the humans for being intelligent. Throughout the rest of the book, Grendel observes the humans, fascinated by how they live their lives. As Grendel searches for the answer to his philosophical questions, such as the meaning of life, he sees that the humans have their answer. The humans live to gather wealth, fame, and power. For example, Hrothgar uses his system of alliances to control the region and protect his power, and Unferth is obsessed with becoming a famous hero. After meeting the humans, Grendel became envious, angry, and violent towards them. Beforehand, while he was still an adolescent, Grendel was a generally peaceful and friendly creature. After observing Hrothgar’s village for many weeks, he attempts to communicate with the humans, but they do not understand him and begin attacking him with swords and spears. Gardner describes the even through Grendel saying, “I staggered out into the open and up toward the hall with my burden, groaning out ‘Mercy! Peace!’” (51). This incident is when Grendel first becomes violent toward the village. Realizing that the humans will never understand or accept him, Grendel turns against them and begins his war with Hrothgar. Jealousy and anger towards the humans pushed Grendel toward this
During Grendel’s adolescence, when he is just figuring out who he is and who he wants to be, he is drawn to the dragon's lair. The dragon is an old and nihilistic character …show more content…
Until this point of the story, Grendel has been alone, encountering only the simplest of creatures, including his mother. However, Grendel admires the humans for being intelligent. Throughout the rest of the book, Grendel observes the humans, fascinated by how they live their lives. As Grendel searches for the answer to his philosophical questions, such as the meaning of life, he sees that the humans have their answer. The humans live to gather wealth, fame, and power. For example, Hrothgar uses his system of alliances to control the region and protect his power, and Unferth is obsessed with becoming a famous hero. After meeting the humans, Grendel became envious, angry, and violent towards them. Beforehand, while he was still an adolescent, Grendel was a generally peaceful and friendly creature. After observing Hrothgar’s village for many weeks, he attempts to communicate with the humans, but they do not understand him and begin attacking him with swords and spears. Gardner describes the even through Grendel saying, “I staggered out into the open and up toward the hall with my burden, groaning out ‘Mercy! Peace!’” (51). This incident is when Grendel first becomes violent toward the village. Realizing that the humans will never understand or accept him, Grendel turns against them and begins his war with Hrothgar. Jealousy and anger towards the humans pushed Grendel toward this