"Grendel"

Book Review # 117863

English > Creative Writing
Literature > English

"Grendel"

A brief review of John Gardner's novel "Grendel".

854 words () | 0 sources | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how in John Gardner's novel "Grendel", the story revolves around the monster like main character Grendel. Grendel is one of the most developed characters in literary history. His thoughts, usually conflicting, are quite deep and intelligent by the novel's end. The paper looks at how, from the very beginning of the novel, the reader is allowed direct access into Grendel's mind and thoughts. The paper also discusses Gardner's style of writing and how although the reader tends to sympathize with Grendel, as the novel progresses, Grendel shows us that he is the exact opposite of what we want to see him as: the hero.

From the Paper:

"There are numerous characters that we see Grendel come into contact with. The first one being the Shaper, whom Grendel does not name. The Shaper is an old, blind, and wise man who is a sort of teacher; "singing" the lessons that he teaches. Grendel's first encounter with the Shaper comes after his attack on the humans in the Mead Hall. During this attack, the Shaper jumps out of the back window which leads Grendel to first admire him. Perhaps Grendel admires him because of the way that the Shaper was able to think quickly and sought an escape during the attack. Gardner never expands on this very much."