Abstract
A paper discussing "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner, as an example of a work about effective writing. The paper outlines Gardner's views on what does and does not work for aspiring writers, and explores concepts such as genre. The essay considers the applicability of Gardner's ideas to persuasive professional writing as well as fiction.

From the Paper
"John Gardner, noted for retelling the story of "Beowulf" from the point of view of the sea-monster Grendel, has also written about writing in his book "The Art of Fiction". As the title says, this book is about writing fiction, a specialized kind of writing that seems quite unrelated to effective writing in most professional contexts. Only a percent of the books published commercially each year are works of fiction, but fiction writing is usually what we have in mind when we..."

Tags:writing, John Gardner, professional, fiction

Abstract
The paper relates that John Gardner was a very prolific author who died tragically in the middle of life, but had he written nothing but his 1971 novel "Grendel" he would still be remembered and celebrated just as much, as it is probably his most widely read and popular work.

From the Paper
"John Gardner was a very prolific author of fiction and nonfiction who died tragically in the middle of life, but had he written nothing but his 1971 novel "Grendel" he would still be remembered and celebrated just as much, as it is probably his most widely read and popular work. The paper describes how in this book, Gardner takes the very daring and unprecedented step of reimagining a classic work of Anglo-Saxon literature, the 8th century epic poem Beowulf, and re-telling it from the point of view of the "villain" of that poem, the monster that gives its name to Gardner's book. This book is a complex one that can be discovered from many different angles and..."

Tags:grendel, beowulf, gardner

Abstract
This paper provides a comparative analysis of John Gardner's "Grendel" versus the classical "Beowulf," which challenges the classical definition of a hero with a more modern perspective. The paper explains that Webster's dictionary defines a hero as a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. While this definition is still respectively true for our modern age, the paper asserts, the Anglo-Saxons held heroism on a dissimilar level; rather, a hero had to come from a lineage of great men whose actions were unparalleled and more honorable than any others, which was exemplified in Beowulf. However, the paper notes, John Gardner had a particularly modern view on heroism in Grendel, the story of a hero through a monster's eyes. Through the details of Grendel's encounters with Beowulf, as well as the view of Grendel's purpose in life, the paper concludes, Grendel argues against the fundamental ideas of Anglo-Saxon and modern day heroism to create a new perspective on the presentation of valor.

From the Paper
"The description of the first encounter between hero and monster differs greatly, as does the last encounter between "man" and "beast." Beowulf's struggles to kill Grendel, who is described as a vicious attacker who comes to kill men in their beds, are depicted as a great act of courage and power. "But Beowulf repaid him for those visits, found hum lying dead in his corner, armless, exactly as that fierce fighter had sent him out from Herot, then struck off his head with a single swift blow (Beowulf lines 1583-1589)." Conversely in Grendel, we see that while Beowulf's deeds were viewed as heroic for the people residing in Herot hall, his means didn't exactly justify his end. He taunts Grendel, who is more of a misunderstood being than a vicious monster, into giving up and admitting his own death through trickery and somewhat vicious words. "'Grendel, Grendel! You make the world by whispers, second by second. Are you blind to that? Whether you make it a grave or a garden of roses is not the point. Feel the wall: is it not hard?' He smashes me against it, breaks open my forehead. 'Hard, yes! Observe the hardness, write it down in careful runes. Now sing of walls! Sing!'" In this portrayal of Beowulf, he torments Grendel into his own defeat rather than defeating him honestly and courageously. This does not fit into the Anglo-Saxon portrayal of a hero which, once again, reassesses the gray areas in the definition of a hero."

Tags:Herot, Anglo-Saxon

Abstract
The following essay shows how the central character in Gardner's novel, Grendel, moves away from a nihilistic sense of self and toward what eastern philosophies describe as a sense of enlightenment.

From the paper:

"In his very early days, even the evil, man-eating Grendel was an innocent creature. "I lived those years, as do all young things, in a spell. Like a puppy nipping, playfully growling preparing for battle with wolves" (Gardner 16). It is only when he ventures into the world and gets caught in a tree from which he is unable to escape, that he experiences his first fears that the world is not as he had previously conceived it to be. With his foot stuck in the tree and a bull repeatedly charging, but missing him, Grendel comes to a realization. "I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist. All the rest, I saw, is merely what pushes me or what I push against, blindly . . ." (Gardner 22). It is also during this particular scene that Grendel first comes into contact with men."

Tags:human, nature, God, existence, Sartre, dragon, novel, nihilist, creature, innocence, evil, battle

Abstract
This paper compares the epic poem, "Beowulf" and John Gardner's "Grendel." It specifically focuses on the plots and central actions of the two stories- the battle between Beowulf and Grendel in order to save the kingdom of the Danes from Grendel. The paper discusses how the main difference between the texts is the perspective in which they are written.

From the Paper
"In regards to the story of Grendel, as a monster consumed by hatred of the Danes, Grendel has clear reasons for this hatred, but the fact that he must take his hatred out by antagonizing them with devastation also results in his own demise by violent hands. As a monster, he is blindly systematically crippling and destroying the Danes as a people, but the only thing that can stop him will inevitably be a force outside the Danes who is strong enough to destroy him. Of course, this force is Beowulf. Strength can only be met by greater strength in battle, and a life of violence ends in death by violence; the cycle continues."

Tags:Danes, monster, action

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect the character of Grendel in John Gardner's "Grendel" has on the reader, to discuss whether or not the character is sympathetic or unsympathetic, and to analyze whether or not Gardner makes it easy or difficult for the reader to make judgements about the creature.

Gardner does not, in fact, make it easy for the reader to know whether or not to sympathize with Grendel. One is reminded of the "Frankenstein monster" in this regard, a creature not responsible for who he is but violent and dangerous to man just the same.

Gardner tells us in detail of Grendel's raid on Hrothgar's meadhall, and the bloody carnage that ensues. He also tells us of Grendel's delight in sacking up his dead and after ... "

Abstract
The paper discusses that the novel, "Grendel", is a retelling of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist i.e. Grendel. The paper says that the 1971 novel by John Gardner follows the life of Grendel but at the same time attempts to construct a deeper subtext by tackling issues such as the quest for meaning in the world, the purpose of man, and the fight between good and evil. The paper further states that the philosophical content of Grendel is undeniable; Grendel follows the changes that occur inside of him, and in doing so, formulates intelligent commentaries as to the two main perspectives on the world and the purpose of humanity, determinism and existentialism. The paper also states Grendel's war on mankind is waged as a result of his encounter with the dragon whose nihilistic view deeply influences Grendel. Grendel now feels enraged by the romantic view that the Danes have on the world, and their history of braveness and courage. The paper asserts the thesis that Grendel is an existentialist who tries to provide meaning to his life in an environment that is hostile to him.

From the Paper
"Grendel is an existentialist who tries to derive meaning from the world around him. Gardner himself explained, "What Grendel does is take, one by one, the great heroic ideals of mankind since the beginning and make a case for these values by setting up alternatives in an ironic set of monster values. I hate Existentialism." (Morace; Van Spanckeren: 67). Grendel starts out as a nihilist for whom everything is meaningless and devoid of real value. However, he yearns for meaning. His revolt is interior because he does not see himself as important since he in only an animal. Moreover, he gets angry at the sky for "ignoring" him. This is a stage of deep confusion for Grendel who is torn between his feeling that nothing is truly of importance in the world, and the awareness that no matter how many men he kills, he cannot break their spirits as they continue to rebuilt their castle. His inability to destroy their faith and morale angers him."

Tags:humanity, determinism, existentialism

Abstract
This paper examines the classic literary saga Beowulf whose theme is the concept of ultimate good battling and vanquishing ultimate evil. The paper focuses on the retelling of the story through American author John Gardner's 1971 novel "Grendel" which presents the monster Grendel in a different light and not as the grim and unhappy spirit he is usually portrayed.

From the Paper
"Perhaps for this reason, Grendel has become almost as much a subject for discourse as Beowulf himself has. Editorial commenting in the numerous translations and interpretations of the poem have often included comments on the man monster. The many books and articles written on the poem usually include passages of chapters about him, his actions, motivations and personalities. Almost all of these works are usually written within the context of the poem, that is in direct relation to the hero Beowulf himself, "Grendel acts in such a manner because Beowulf does" is the usual rule followed."

Tags:Danes, behemoth

From the Paper
"This study will describe and compare the main characters in John Gardner's October Light, John Barth's The Floating Opera, and Philip Roth's The Counterlife. The study will consider the ways the protagonists in these novels deal with reality, life, death and suicide. Essentially, the study will argue that, despite the differences in the lifestyles, philosophies, and personalities of the three protagonists, they are finally quite comparable in terms of the ways they relate to life and death. The differences remain, but at heart each of the main characters have a cynical, skeptical, absurd, or otherwise generally negative attitude toward reality and life, and each of them are struggling in various ways to arrive at some perspective which would allow them to, at the very least, be more accepting of life and death."

From the Paper
" John W. Gardner's On Leadership provides a comprehensive discussion of the essential qualities of effective leaders and leadership development. Although it is difficult to determine which individuals can develop leadership qualities and fulfill their potential, future leaders need a motivating environment to cultivate these qualities. Every phase of a person's life, from childhood to adulthood, constitutes significant turning points in leadership development (Gardner 162). At home, young children acquire values and standards of behavior from their parents. In schools, teachers can also inculcate leadership values within the students. One of the important changes that needs to be made within school and college curricula is specialization. While it is important that students become well-versed in certain subjects, leaders need to be knowledgeable in a variety .."

Tags:BOOK, REVIEWS, LEADERSHIP