Journal 3: Grendel’s Language

Journal 3: Grendel’s Language

                In Grendel, by John Gardner, Grendel both admires and hates language. As the story progresses, each successive, chapter and the events found within the chapters, help to promote Grendel’s changing attitude towards language. Grendel’s love of language comes from his desire to communicate and build relationships, especially among humans. Unfortunately, Grendel’s inability to communicate creates a love and hate relationship between him and language. Grendel begins in a simple narrative style, but as the story progresses, Grendel evolves to use different forms and elaborate techniques such as soliloquies. Overall, Grendel’s love and hate relationship with language and his changing attitude can be seen as the novel develops.

                In the beginning, Grendel has yet to develop an in depth understanding of language. Grendel recognizes a common language between him and the humans but cannot fully comprehend what they are saying. Grendel’s desire to learn about philosophies and to create relationships causes him to spend many nights listening to the humans. His observations help him to develop his own language and allow him to better comprehend the humans. Eventually, the humans influence on Grendel can be seen in Grendel’s language. For example, in chapter 4 Grendel uses human profanity and claims that they were “Words I picked up from men in their rage.” Grendel’s development can also be seen in the use of parenthesis and italics that are used to give insight into Grendel’s mind.

                As the story continues, Grendel begins to use even more complex forms of language. Gardner is playing with language through Grendel and his development.  Grendel shows how far he has developed as he begins to use forms such as script writing or play writing. Grendel sets up scenes and cuts as he experiments with language. The soliloquies of Hrothulf and Wealtheow that are put into the novel are another prime example of Gardner playing with Grendel’s elaborate language. Grendel loves language and takes pride in showcasing his mastery of it, but Grendel still longs for people to talk to with his language.  Grendel cannot speak with humans due to their fear of him and cannot even speak with his own mother as she knows no language. His frustration at being unable to share his language creates the hate that Grendel feels towards language. The only relief Grendel receives is when Unferth seems to understand Grendel in the meadhall. Grendel is shocked and surprised that a human could understand him and is probably the reason why Grendel spares Unferth’s life. In conclusion, Grendel develops his language throughout the story into a complex and elaborate style, and his attitude toward language ranges from admiration to abhorrence as he learns but is unable to use this language.

                Overall, Grendel’s attitude toward language changes as the story progresses. Grendel starts out as a naïve young creature with a limited knowledge of language. His desire to communicate and build relationships pushes him to learn more and also spurs his love of language. Eventually, Grendel’s constant observation of humans influences his own language, and Grendel becomes quite the connoisseur of language. Unfortunately, Grendel’s love of language is undermined by his inability to use it. Grendel cannot speak with humans because they fear him, and he also cannot speak with his mother as she does not speak. This inability to use the language he has so painstakingly learned fuels the disgust that Grendel has for language. In conclusion, Grendel’s attitude towards language becomes one of admiration and frustration as he learns and develops his language.