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Grendel

Grendel . John Gardner. Thematic Topics. The Meaning and/or Meaninglessness of Life  The Power of Art/Song/Language/Shaping  The Need for Community  Good vs. Evil  Freedom vs. Determinism Form follows function. Nature vs. Nurture.

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Grendel

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  1. Grendel John Gardner

  2. Thematic Topics • The Meaning and/or Meaninglessness of Life  • The Power of Art/Song/Language/Shaping  • The Need for Community  • Good vs. Evil  • Freedom vs. Determinism • Form follows function

  3. Nature vs. Nurture • Naturehas made Grendel a monster (spawn of Cain). Still he longs for meaning, purpose. Rejects given nature • Nurtureisolates Grendel. He has no one to turn to who can provide solace, love, emotional support or truth. Also, no one provides social boundaries. • “Nurtured” by watching humans • -caught in the tree • -p.9 decision to kill, p.13 still empty • -p.16 indifference of world and fear

  4. Creation of Identity • Desire to fit in; to know himself; to have purpose p. 29 • Doesn’t want to be like humans p. 32-33, 34 • Dragon Ch. 5 • He begins to know his place/Unferth is returned unscathed p. 90 • “Balance is everything” Ch. 7

  5. Hope or Lack thereof • People are fools; no effect on anyone but ourselves p. 53 • “I knew what I knew.” p. 54 • Despite its foolishness, he longs for the hope that humans have p. 55

  6. The Dragon • p. 58 Reference to Trinity and omniscience • p. 58 Dragon is kind to Grendel • p. 60 Dragon is bipolar • p. 60 Grendel’s compassion for humans • p. 62 “Don’t ask” – Ch. 1 and his mom • p. 69 Need an enemy • p. 72 Why this book isn’t existential • p. 75 Scent of the dragon- futility • p. 75 weapons can’t hurt him

  7. Dragon’s Philosophy • Existentialism • Existence precedes essence • Life is meaningless, a series of chance events; therefore, one must put meaning into his/her life. • Morality is up to the individual. • Find a pile of gold and sit on it. – Dragon • Nihilism • “Nothing comes from nothing” • Life is meaningless, a series of chance events; therefore, one must live as one wishes. • Morality is inconsequential. • Attitude • Optimism • Pessimism

  8. Style Diction Religion- “conversion” p. 51 “lifeless sticks” p. 52 “accursed” p. 52 “cold blooded lie” p. 55 Detail Allusions to snakes Dragon chapter p. 61, 62, 64 Juxtaposition of man and goat p. 140 Syllogism p. 64 Sine qua nonp. 64

  9. Style Organization Ch. 1 cynical self (post dragon) Ch. 2-4 flashbacks to growing up Ch. 5 dragon Ch. 6 Unferth and formation of self Ch. 7-12 working towards his “accident” Point of View First person

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