Good vs. Evil in John Gardners Grendel :: Grendel Essays

Good vs. Evil in stern Gardners Grendel           John Gardners novel Grendel gives the reader a new perspective on the classic good vs. Evil plot.  From the start of the book the reader stinker tell that there is something very unique about the fibber.  It is evident that the narrator is a very observant cosmos that can express himself in a very poetic manner.  The story is one the reader has nigh likely seen before, the battle between the glorious thanes and the evil wildcat well.  In this case, however, the beast is the eyes and ears of the reader.  This, of course, forces the reader to analyze situations in the book in the analogous way that Grendel does.  By using this viewpoint, the author allows his readers to see the other nerve of the coin.  Therefore, throughout the course of the novel the reader is able to agnize how weighty Grendel is in defining the humans.        &nbs p  Grendels first encounter with the human beings that he literally defines is not a pleasant one.  After accidentally trapping himself in a tree he is discovered by a host of thanes out on patrol.  Grendel expresses absolutely no hostile intentions towards these ridiculous (ch.2, pp.24) creatures that locomote by clicks. (ch.2, pp.24)  The thanes do not understand what Grendel is and are very sick about the whole situation. Like animals they are frightened of anything that is different from what they are used to.  When Grendel attempts to communicate they show their ignorance and simple-mindedness.  Instead of taking the time to understand the anomaly in their world they panic and decide to destroy it.  Without being able to view the story from Grendels point of view the reader skill assume that the humans had every right to attack.  Another example of the kindred type of simple-mindedness is their second premature attack on Grendel. After tryout the shapers words Grendel weeps, Mercy  Peac e(ch.4, pp.50) in the hopes of salvation from the god of these men.  The men, in a drunken state, merely misunderstand Grendels intentions and attack him once again.  Instead of cleanup spot the men, which would have been an easy task for the giant, Grendel escapes into the night.  This action alone defines the men as the beasts and Grendel as the victim.