Grendel
by John Gardner
Table of Contents
Key Facts
Key Facts
Title: Grendel
Author: John Gardner
Type of work: Novel
Genre: Postmodern novel; prose poem; parallel novel; coming-of-age story (definition varies)
Language: English
Years(s) written: 1969–1970
Place written: San Francisco
Date of first publication: 1971
First publisher: Knopf
Narrator: Grendel
Narrator's point of view: Grendel usually narrates in the first person, sharing his thoughts and observations, but sometimes also narrates from the perspective of another character
Tone: Grendel tries to keep up a detached, satirical tone, but this is regularly prevented by sincere emotional outbursts
Tense: Present, though there are many flashbacks in the first eight chapters
Setting: The 4th century, A.D.
Location: Denmark
Protagonist: Grendel
Antagonist: Primarily Hrothgar and Beowulf, but every character besides Grendel can potentially fulfil this role
Primary conflict: Grendel grapples with the apparent pointlessness of the universe and his own place within it
Exposition: Grendel is a “ridiculous monster” engaged in an “idiotic war” with humanity.
Rising action: Grendel learns the philosophical views of the Shaper, who is the most important musician and storyteller in Hrothgar’s community, then speaks to a powerful dragon, who mocks those views and presents an alternative. The Shaper uses art to create meaning out of life, while the dragon accepts life as meaningless.
Climax: Grendel chooses to create meaning in his life through...
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