2. Grendel is obviously derived from Beowulf.
John Gardner, turned the one-sided “evil”
monster into a 3-dimensional character.
We will see Grendel struggle to find meaning
in life. This work is ultimately philosophical.
Grendel explores what it means to be “human.”
3. Gardner wrote,
“Hopefully all readers will enjoy [Grendel] and
recognize the central question, namely:
if the world really is meaningless, how should I
live?”
As we read Grendel, we will discuss ,many
possible answers to this question.
4. a philosophical movement that
views the individual and the
individual’s experience as the basis
for understanding the nature of
human existence.
In other words, each individual
creates his or her own meaning.
5. is a belief in freedom and accepts the
consequences of individual actions
acknowledges the responsibility that comes
with the making of choices.
prefers subjectivity
views humans as “subjects” in an indifferent
and often uncertain universe.
6. The belief that all values are baseless and that
nothing can really be known or communicated.
associated with extreme pessimism
associated with skepticism
condemns existence.
A true nihilist would
1) believe in nothing,
2)have no loyalties, and
3) have no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to
destroy the things and people around them.
7. The idea that people can abandon free will and
become mindless parts in a “machine,” often times
without realizing this is happening.
In a “machine” there is no need to worry about the
right/wrong of functioning – one simply does.
Grendel seems to think we are all machines, “blind,
mindless, mechanical.”
“Mechanism” is in direct opposition to existentialism,
which emphasizes human freedom, choice, and
responsibility.
8. Images and references to “machinery”
appear often in Grendel’s thoughts.
We will booknote these references!
These images of machinery help us
understand how Grendel views himself and
his world.
9. DEF = a reference to another text that an
educated reader would know.
An allusion adds layers of meaning to the text
in which the allusion appears. An allusion
allows an author to add meaning without
didactically explaining the meaning to the
reader.
In this text we will specifically be looking at
Biblical allusions.
10. Be sure to booknote references to Grendel’s
cave.
We will be looking at Gardner’s deeper
meaning and the reasons he has Grendel use
allusions to describe his cave.
11. A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major
premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
EXAMPLE:
Premise –
If a triangle is scalene then it has 3 unequal sides.
Premise –
If a triangle has 3 unequal sides, then it has 3 unequal angles.
You can use the law of syllogism to conclude that:
If a triangle is scalene, then it has 3 unequal angles.
12. DEF = a Latin expression, used in English to mean
an essential or necessary quality or condition.
The Dragon will use this term to criticize the
human tendency to only acknowledge isolated
facts.
“There are no facts,” the dragon says.
How does this quote connect to existentialism?
13. DEF = a Latin phrase meaning,
“Nothing comes from nothing.”
Grendel thinks, “Nihil ex nihilo” at the end of
Chapter 10. He is fitful and upset –
Does this mean HE is “nothing”?
