Grendel

In Mrs. Clinch class, the students have begun to read a semi-sequel to Beowulf called Grendel, named after the monster that appeared in Beowulf. Even though I was quite dubious on the insight available or the insight possible, I moved with the flow, reading my first reading assignment with no rebellious attitude. As a read, I found something entirely different.
Grendel potentially allows as much insight as its older brother. This novel is a narrative in Grendel’s point of view. Through this, the reader is able to take a much more different approach toward this novel. For example, when told in terms of Grendel, Man, not Grendel, is depicted as evil and Grendel, a somewhat innocent bystander. Man kills his own kin for power, glory, and justice, thus, had someone from another tribe killed a fellow tribe member, it was the duty for the victim’s tribe to honor him through revenge or payment. Because payment did not occur as much, more blood was sacrificed. Additionally, this novel provides an entirely different prospective for Beowulf. In Grendel, Grendel is mortal and easily injurable. How was a beast that could not be penetrated by human spears, bleed from things such as getting stuck in branches? In the novel, it clearly states that Grendel loses a lot of blood. This confused me so much, because I could not see how such a weak tactic could damage a god-like monster so easily. Grendel had more to provide that I thought.
There are also some parts of the novel that are somewhat confusing. Now on the 5th chapter of the novel, I could not understand why Grendel was so fearful of snakes and serpents when he even picked one up the chapter before. Was it because serpents physically resembled the dragon or is there some other answer? Additionally, why did John Gardener go through the trouble of making the dragon a philosophy major? When I attempted to read the 5th chapter, I could not make out what the dragon was trying to say. Was that the purpose of Gardener or am I just too ignorant? Well, then again, Grendel could not understand either, so I guess we are on the same ground. Although a tad bit strange, Grendel is proving to be a novel of success. Relating to multiple scenes in Beowulf, Grendel is accurately and subtly referring to Beowulf that provides the reader with a small adrenaline rush. Sometimes I can actually make out what is happening within the story. (Amazing!)
From Grendel, I have begun to see the monster as a child who whines and complains too much for his own good and has an uncontrollable curiosity. Before, Beowulf’s Grendel was a beast, crazy for blood and life; however, in Grendel, Grendel desires friendship and a purpose in life that is separate from the one ordained by GOD (to live alone). Unfortunately, Grendel so far is unable to do so, but with hope, he may possibly turn the tables.