Journal 10: Grendel the Narrator

Journal 10: Grendel the Narrator

                The fact that Gardner used Grendel as the narrator in his story is very important. While the epic, Beowulf, is told from the point of view of Beowulf and the Danes, Grendel, gives insight into his own side of the story. In Beowulf, Grendel is depicted as a horrible, murderous, and evil monster, but in Grendel the reader can see that Grendel is actually much different. Grendel’s actions, thoughts, and motives are all revealed by having Grendel as the narrator. As his actions, thoughts, and motives are revealed a new picture of Grendel is created. Also, the fact that Grendel is a monster makes Grendel look at the world differently. The fact that Grendel looks at the world differently, in turn affects the way the story is told. Gardner takes advantage of having Grendel as the narrator to immerse the reader in an entirely new story from Grendel’s point of view. Overall, Gardner probably made the decision to use Grendel as the narrator because of the new point of view Grendel provided as a monster.

                Grendel, the antagonist in the story, is also the narrator and a monster. All of these aspects are important in the way that Gardner decides to tell the story. By having Grendel as the narrator, Gardner is able to reveal Grendel’s true character. While Grendel is depicted as an evil monster in Beowulf, in Grendel, Grendel is shown as a kind, sympathetic, and naïve young creature. In fact, when meeting with the dragon Grendel almost resolves not to terrorize the humans up until the dragon convinces him otherwise. Grendel is still searching for who he is and what he believes in. Throughout the story he is enveloped by the philosophies of the shaper and the dragon and is learning and deciding as he goes. Grendel’s want to not be alone in the world is a strong motivating force behind many of his actions. All of these motives and ideals are very important in the way Gardner develops Grendel from the point of view of Grendel. Equally as important is the fact that Grendel is a monster. If Grendel were simply another human then the reader would not be provided with a new way of looking at the situation. Since Grendel is, in fact, a monster the reader can see a completely different point of view. Possibly one in which the monster is not looked upon as a menace but simply as a creature trying to find his or her place. In Grendel, this creature is of course, Grendel. Overall, the use of Grendel as the narrator reveals aspects of his character that are not seen in Beowulf and provide the reader with a completely new point of view.

                Gardner’s use of Grendel was a smart way of introducing the reader to a different side of the story between Beowulf and Grendel. Grendel’s own thoughts and motives are revealed through his actions and Grendel’s own commentary. By using Grendel as the narrator Gardner is able develop a story vastly different from that depicted in Beowulf. In Grendel, Grendel is not a hideous, murderous, and evil monster but rather a creature trying to find his place in the world. Unfortunately, it just so happens that in the process of finding his place he ends up in a bitter “war” with the humans. On the other hand though, the fact that he is this monster that the humans must fight is also important in the point of view that Gardner takes by making Grendel the narrator. Since Grendel is considered a monster, the ideas of that monster differ greatly than that of humans. As a result, the reader gets a look into the mind of a monster, Grendel, instead of seeing Grendel through the eyes of humans. In conclusion,  Gardner’s decision to use Grendel as the narrator was probably made to provide an entirely new point of view.