Senior AP Due August 24th
Summer Reading Assignment
One major work you will read in AP Literature & Composition will be the epic poem Beowulf.
this summer you will read the novel Grendel, written by John Gardner; the book is a modern
rendering of some of the events from Beowulf told from Grendel's point of view.
Reading Journal for Gardner’s Grendel
Read Grendel and in a composition notebook write 1-2 pages in response to the following
questions for each section. In total, your composition book should have 6 designated sections.
Be sure to respond to each of the questions fully for each section. Handwrite the assignment
neatly. You may not use outside resources to guide you. Plagiarized work will receive a grade
of ZERO.
CHAPTERS 1 & 2
Reflect on the conceptions of “monster” versus human in the book
so far. What does it mean to be human? How does Grendel adhere to these human
characteristics? What are “monster” characteristics? How does Grendel reflect on these
“monster” characteristics? Do you feel Grendel is monster or human? Why?
CHAPTERS 3 & 4
What is Grendel’s view of humanity? What does he observe about
the changes (or evolution) humanity endures as time passes? In your opinion, are these changes
positive or negative? What makes you say this? What is Grendel’s impression of The Shaper? To
what aspects of The Shaper do you think Grendel is attracted? What aspects does he seem to find
repugnant or comical? Are there equivalents to The Shaper in our society today? Where do you
see them? How valuable are they? Does modern society value The Shaper as much as
Hrothgar’s? Why do you think this?
CHAPTERS 5 & 6
The Dragon is a mysterious character in the novel. What do you
think of him? Is his philosophy of existence true in your opinion? What do you find to be true or
false about it? Why do you think this? Do you think Grendel’s discussion with the dragon will
affect the way he views humanity, his own existence, etc.? In what ways do you see this dialogue
making an impression on Grendel? What is Grendel’s impression of “heroism?” What is your
opinion of Unferth’s notion of heroism? What aspects of Unferth’s “heroic” actions do you find
significant? Which ones do you feel are convoluted or just plain stupid? Please provide thorough
explanations for you conclusions.
CHAPTERS 7 & 8
How much (if any) of Grendel’s behavior is determined by instinct
or nature? How much (if any) is determined by his own free will (conscious choice)? In what
ways does Grendel reflect 4 the characteristics of a beast? How does he reflect characteristics of
a human at this point in the novel? How “beastly” are we as humans today? What real life
examples can you provide for your beliefs? What is Grendel’s impression of Hrothulf’s
revolutionary ideas? How can the reader ascertain Grendel’s opinion on this? What do you think
about the nature of power in mankind as can be observed in the novel thus far? Can you find real
life examples from your experience to validate your feelings on this?
CHAPTERS 9 & 10
What role do you see religion playing in this novel (please refer to
various places in the novel to provide proper evidence)? What is Grendel’s impression of
religion, particularly Ork’s personal spiritual beliefs? Do you find similarities in the role of
religion in Beowulf’s society and today’s society? Please explain your answer. Discuss
Gardner’s use of foreboding tone in these chapters. Where does the reader see Gardner’s use of
foreshadowing Grendel’s end? Please provide VERY specific examples from the novel to
substantiate your response.
CHAPTERS 11 & 12
Is Beowulf a hero at the end of the story? Was Grendel’s death
merely an arbitrary accident or misjudgment? How is it that Beowulf succeeded where so many
had failed in the past? What opinion have you developed about Beowulf throughout the novel?
What separates him from other characters, or does nothing separate him from them? How do you
feel about Grendel’s death at the end of the novel? Is it a justified death? Are the humans to
blame for making him feel alienated his entire life? Is he to blame for the injustices he has
caused in the past? Were you sad to see him die? Were you pleased that the “good guys” won?