1. August 23, 2016 Grendel by John Gardner
Grendel Introduction
August 23, 2016
Grendel by John Gardner

2. Existentialism
HINT HINT!!! OVERARCHING CONCEPT!!!
A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.
Existentialism is the belief that the meaning to life is not received from a deity or higher power - it is up to the individual to create meaning for themselves.

3. Existentialism – the individual
At it’s core, individuals are independent, conscious beings and they should not accept labels or stereotypes from society.
Existentialism encourages us to create our own values and determine a meaning to life.
This belief makes any human entirely responsible for their own actions, which are what define us.

4. Existentialism – the contradictory
Absurdism – the struggle between humans’ tendency to seek inherent value and a meaning to life and humans’ inability to find one.
It is absurd to an outsider – the idea that humans are attempting to do the impossible.
“Nihil ex nihilo” – nothing comes from nothing
Similar to nihilism – which is essentially the belief that life has no meaning and is chaotic.

5. Motif
Recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes
OR… in other words: any recurring element that has symbolic significance within a story
The key here is REPETITION – if you keep seeing/reading it… it is IMPORTANT

6. WHAT DO THEY LEND TO GRENDEL’S EXISTENTIAL CRISIS?
VERY IMPORTANT!
WHAT DO THEY LEND TO GRENDEL’S EXISTENTIAL CRISIS?
Motifs in Grendel
The Seasons
The Zodiac Symbols
Machinery
Cycles (seen through the seasons & Zodiac signs)
Water
Eyes

7. The Seasons
Although the narrative of Grendel skips around chronologically, the novel is patterned after the passage of one calendar year.
Think about what seasons typically mean in literature… (i.e. Spring = renewal, life, birth; what about Winter?)
One example of a cycle.

8. The Zodiac
Grendel is split into 12 chapters, each linked with one moth of the year and one astrological sign.
Gardner includes at least one allusion to each sign within its corresponding chapter.
For example, Grendel opens with the ram (Aries) as Grendel and the ram argue.
LOOK OUT specifically for Aries, Taurus, and Capricorn.

9. Machinery
Grendel often uses these metaphors as a way of expressing his frustration with what he sees as pointless, mindless adherence to set patterns of behavior.
Grendel sees this in himself…

10. Motifs in Grendel: The Seasons The Zodiac Symbols Machinery Cycles
Water
Eyes
TASK: Grab a notecard and make yourself a ”key” for these motifs. As you read Grendel, use these symbols to guide your annotations.

11. Themes in Grendel: Art as Falsehood (a mirage for a bleak world)
The Power of Stories (to change history/beliefs)
The Pain of Isolation (monster v. human; good v. evil)
PAY ATTENTION TO THESE THREE THEMES WHEN READING AND ANALYZING GRENDEL!!!

12. Inductive Study Method: a close reading strategy
Setting the Context
What Does the Passage Say? (observation)
What Does it Mean? (interpretation)

13. Setting the Context Author – who wrote the passage?
Background – when did the author live? In what culture?
Context – what is the setting? Why are the events happening?

14. What Does the Passage Say? (observation)
Gather all sorts of facts like an investigative reporter. Ask questions to help you observe the facts: Who? What happened? What was taught? When? Where? How? Why? This is where you see and discover what the author is saying.
Locate and mark any key words, repeated words, or phrases. (MOTIFS!!)

15. What Does it Mean? (interpretation)
What is the author’s intent in this passage? What is one principle or lesson the writer was trying to communicate? What was he saying?
Analyze – why did this MOTIF show up here? What does it mean?

16. YOUR TASK WHILE READING GRENDEL:
Use the Inductive Study Method to read Grendel searching for meaning while marking motifs with your key.
Use the idea of existentialism as your driving force as you read and make meaning of Grendel.
INDUCTIVE STUDY METHOD
MOTIFS
THEMES
EXISTENTIALISM