John Gardner’s novel Grendel from 1971 is one of the most famous modern retelling and focuses on the monster from the Beowulf poem.
As the quote from the OED shows, monsters are typically associated with great size, a savage character, fear or terror, power, violence and mostly with a hideous and frightening appearance. However, Gardner’s monster appears to be different from the monsters that most readers know from literature. By putting Grendel in the center of his novel, Gardner allows the reader to see the world through the monster’s eye.
The aim of this term paper is therefore to analyze which effect this change of perspective has in the construction of monstrosity. The basic assumption of this work is that Gardner develops a humanized monster that is less frightening, less violent and in the end less monstrous to the reader. On top of that, Gardner effectively presents the monstrous side of humans to further blur the lines between monster and human and deconstructs the popular image of the monster Grendel.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The monster in literary theory
- 3. John Gardner's Grendel - An Analysis
- 3.1 "You are mankind!" - Humanizing the monster
- 3.2 Monstrous Humans?
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Sources
- 5.1 Primary Source
- 5.2 Secondary Sources
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes John Gardner's Grendel, examining how the shift in perspective to Grendel's viewpoint impacts the construction of monstrosity. The paper investigates whether Gardner humanizes the monster, reducing his frightening and violent aspects, and conversely, highlights the monstrous nature of humanity. The goal is to demonstrate how Gardner blurs the lines between monster and human, ultimately deconstructing the traditional image of Grendel.
- The construction of monstrosity in literature.
- The humanization of the monster in Gardner's Grendel.
- The presentation of monstrous qualities in human characters.
- The blurring of lines between monster and human.
- Deconstruction of the traditional Grendel archetype.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by defining the concept of a monster based on the Oxford English Dictionary, and introduces Grendel from the Beowulf epic. It then establishes the central argument: that John Gardner’s novel Grendel humanizes the titular monster, making him less frightening and violent to the reader, while also revealing the monstrous side of humanity. The chapter briefly outlines the structure of the paper, promising an exploration of the concept of the monster in literary theory, followed by an analysis of Gardner's novel.
2. The monster in literary theory: This chapter delves into the scholarly discourse surrounding the concept of the monster. It explores how monsters represent "otherness" and are often juxtaposed against human order and civilization. The chapter cites various scholars who discuss the monster's role in defining human identity, including their hybrid nature and the inherent duality between fear and fascination they inspire. The chapter emphasizes the monster's function in reinforcing societal norms and the role of heroes in defeating them, highlighting the intertwined nature of monsters and heroism in literature. It concludes by summarizing the key characteristics of monsters as representations of otherness, chaos, and fear, establishing a framework for analyzing Gardner's portrayal of Grendel.
3. John Gardner's Grendel - An Analysis: This chapter constitutes the core analysis of Gardner's novel. It will delve into the specifics of how Gardner presents Grendel and the human characters, exploring the ways in which the author achieves the humanization of the monster and the revelation of humanity's monstrous aspects. The chapter will examine how the narrative perspective, shifted to Grendel's viewpoint, impacts the reader's perception of monstrosity, exploring the specific textual examples that support the arguments. This chapter will likely integrate discussions from both subchapters 3.1 and 3.2, analyzing the interplay between Grendel's humanization and the depiction of monstrous traits in humans within a unified analysis of the entire chapter's argument.
Keywords
Monstrosity, John Gardner, Grendel, Beowulf, literary theory, humanization, otherness, chaos, perspective, deconstruction, human nature, monster archetype.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of John Gardner's Grendel
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This term paper analyzes John Gardner's novel, Grendel, focusing on how the narrative perspective shifts the reader's understanding of monstrosity. It examines whether Gardner humanizes Grendel, lessening his traditionally frightening aspects, and conversely, reveals the monstrous nature of humanity. The paper aims to demonstrate how Gardner blurs the lines between monster and human, ultimately deconstructing the traditional image of Grendel from the Beowulf epic.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the construction of monstrosity in literature, the humanization of the monster in Gardner's Grendel, the presentation of monstrous qualities in human characters, the blurring of lines between monster and human, and the deconstruction of the traditional Grendel archetype.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and sets the stage. Chapter 2 delves into the scholarly discourse surrounding the concept of the monster in literary theory. Chapter 3 provides a core analysis of Gardner's Grendel, exploring the humanization of Grendel and the monstrous aspects of humanity. Chapter 4 offers a conclusion, and Chapter 5 lists the sources used.
What is the purpose of Chapter 2: "The monster in literary theory"?
Chapter 2 examines scholarly discussions on monsters, exploring how they represent "otherness" and contrast with human order and civilization. It cites various scholars, highlighting the monster's role in defining human identity, their hybrid nature, and the duality of fear and fascination they evoke. This chapter establishes a theoretical framework for analyzing Gardner's portrayal of Grendel.
How does Chapter 3 analyze John Gardner's Grendel?
Chapter 3 is the central analysis of Gardner's novel. It examines how Gardner presents Grendel and the human characters, exploring the humanization of the monster and the depiction of monstrous traits in humans. It analyzes how the narrative perspective (from Grendel's viewpoint) impacts the reader's perception of monstrosity, using specific textual examples.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries highlight the paper's central argument: Gardner's Grendel humanizes the monster while simultaneously revealing the monstrous aspects of humanity. Each chapter summary offers a concise overview of its contribution to this central argument, outlining the specific focus and methodology used.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include: monstrosity, John Gardner, Grendel, Beowulf, literary theory, humanization, otherness, chaos, perspective, deconstruction, human nature, and monster archetype.
What type of source material is this preview based on?
This is a comprehensive language preview of an academic paper, including the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The data is intended solely for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Stephan Jaskolla (Author), 2021, The Deconstruction of Monstrosity in "Grendel" by John Gardner, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1193171
