READING JOHN GARDNER’S GRENDEL
English IV AP / Mrs. Ramos
Overview
Grendel is a modern novel (1971) that attempts to explain the
state of mind of literature’s oldest and most notorious monster.
John Gardner sets out to discover and reveal the underlying
personal, philosophical, and emotional issues that would cause a
creature like Grendel to plague humans. In doing so, the reader
begins to see that Grendel cannot be viewed as simply a maneating machine. Instead, he is a thinking being who makes
choices and tough decisions.
What causes Grendel to attack? What kind of creature is he? How much of him is human?
How does he live? What does he think about? In what does he believe? What kinds of
philosophical conflicts does Grendel have to grapple with? These are John Gardner’s concerns
in his master work, Grendel.
Reading Grendel
The novel is complex. As you read through it on your own, keep in mind that it is NOT your
job to try to figure out every little element and nuance of the book. You will be confused. You
will think you missed something (or several somethings). You will be shocked. You will have
questions about meaning. IT IS O.K. We learn out of confusion because trying to figure things
out is advanced thinking. It is my job to help you fine tune your understanding of the novel. It
is your job to:
 read the entire book
 get a basic timeline of events in your head (or, even better, in your notes!)
 re-read sections that confuse you and attempt to understand them
 think about ways Grendel overlaps with Beowulf
 think about ways Grendel is totally different from Beowulf
 look up words that you don’t know and apply them to the text (when not
knowing them creates a block for your understanding of the book)
 come in before or after school if you are having trouble with any of the items
listed here
[Repeat after me: “It is O.K. to be confused. It is not O.K. to stay confused.”]
Reading Focus
As you read, keep the following focus questions in mind:
- Is Grendel evil?
- Is Grendel insane?
- What does Grendel want?
- Of what purpose is Grendel?
- What are Grendel’s flaws? What effects do his flaws have on him?
Questions to Think About:
- How does Grendel’s attitude toward the world change as the novel progresses?
- In what ways do the minor characters (Hrothgar, Grendel’s mother, Shaper, Dragon,
Wealtheow, Ork, Red Horse, Hrothulf, Unferth) affect Grendel and his perception of the
world?
- How can Grendel’s relationships with the minor characters be characterized?
- What do the minor characters represent / symbolize?
- Which philosophical theories are represented in Grendel and at what point in Grendel’s
life does he entertain them? Is there a progression of beliefs?
- How does the end of the novel manage to solidify our understanding of Grendel’s
journey and, at the same time, create doubt about it?
- In what ways does the structure of the novel impact the reader?
- What is Beowulf’s role in Grendel’s life?
- What does Grendel seem to be seeking?
NOTE: This book has been challenged, banned, and questioned. It has a few graphic scenes
and some “adult” language. We will talk about why. If you feel that the book is objectionable
in some way, see me for an alternative reading.