Grendel Review

Objective To review the novel Grendel as a postmodern work of literature.

Modernism vs. Postmodernism Modernism Modernism Emphasis on “impressionistic” writing that strays from traditional forms of narration. Emphasis on “impressionistic” writing that strays from traditional forms of narration. Moves away from objective narration with clear moral positions. Moves away from objective narration with clear moral positions. Laments a fragmented view of human subjectivity, but still holds that art can provide a sense of unity, coherence, and meaning. Laments a fragmented view of human subjectivity, but still holds that art can provide a sense of unity, coherence, and meaning. Postmodernism Postmodernism Accepts and even celebrates the lack of meaning in the world. Does not pretend that art can provide meaning. Rather, delights in the nonsense.

Postmodern Literature Carries modernist styles and practices to extremes. Carries modernist styles and practices to extremes. Liberated by the complete breakdown of categories that are now seen as outdated and claustrophobic Liberated by the complete breakdown of categories that are now seen as outdated and claustrophobic Hybrid genres that erode the distinctions, For instance, between literature and journalism, literature and autobiography, and literature and history. Hybrid genres that erode the distinctions, For instance, between literature and journalism, literature and autobiography, and literature and history.

Gardner and Postmodernism Grendel contains many of the characteristics of postmodern literature Grendel contains many of the characteristics of postmodern literature “genre-bending” “genre-bending” assumption of the absence of meaning in life assumption of the absence of meaning in life mistrust of art to provide meaning mistrust of art to provide meaning Awareness of its own place in the literary world: metafiction Awareness of its own place in the literary world: metafiction

Metafiction The text - either directly or through the characters within - is 'aware' that it is a form of fiction. The text - either directly or through the characters within - is 'aware' that it is a form of fiction. Often contains “fiction within fiction” Often contains “fiction within fiction” Lines break down between characters and audience Lines break down between characters and audience

More on Gardner Some of his other works do away with postmodern techniques completely. Some of his other works do away with postmodern techniques completely. He claimed that postmodernists were often too pessimistic. He claimed that postmodernists were often too pessimistic. Critics are divided on his work. Critics are divided on his work.

Themes in Grendel The Meaning and/or Meaninglessness of Life The Meaning and/or Meaninglessness of Life The Power of Art The Power of Art The Need for Community The Need for Community Good vs. Evil Good vs. Evil Freedom vs. Determinism Freedom vs. Determinism

What Anglo-Saxon Literature has in Common with the Postmodern World Beowulf Beowulf Contains a pessimistic ending: the loyalty of the clan breaks down in Beowulf’s final moments. Wyglaf can never again really trust his men.

The Seafarer and the Wanderer Both contain an anxiety about the breakdown of community. Both contain an anxiety about the breakdown of community. Both articulate a fear concerning the meaninglessness of life. Both articulate a fear concerning the meaninglessness of life. Pain of isolation Pain of isolation

William Butler Yeats ( ) THE SECOND COMING William Butler Yeats ( ) THE SECOND COMING Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand; A shape with lion body and the head of a man, A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds. The darkness drops again but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand; A shape with lion body and the head of a man, A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds. The darkness drops again but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Take Home Essay Revise the AP practice essay according to the rubric. Revise the AP practice essay according to the rubric. Use SPECIFIC textual details to back up claims. Use SPECIFIC textual details to back up claims. Model you essay after the example of a “9.” Model you essay after the example of a “9.” Do not rely on simple formulaic responses. Do not rely on simple formulaic responses.

Journal How effective is Gardner’s postmodern novel as a work based on the ancient epic poem Beowulf? How does this kind of writing differ from other works that we have read this year?