![]() Gardner also creates a relationship between Grendel and the dragon (another minor character in the original epic) in order to expand the concept of nihilism-the belief that there is no purpose to existence. Similarly, Gardner builds up the role of Grendel's mother to emphasize, through her inarticulateness, the importance of language in the development of civilization. Gardner also develops the theme of heroism as another moral force that enables society to advance by elevating Unferth, a minor character in the original poem, to a major character and foil for Grendel. Such is the power of art, Gardner seems to be saying, that even a monster can be affected by it. As a would-be artist, Grendel strives, however comically, to escape from his baseness. ![]() In Gardner's version, however, Grendel becomes a three-dimensional character with, in Howell's words, a sense of humor and a gift for language. A relatively minor character in Beowulf, Grendel is a symbol for darkness, chaos, and death, according to critic John M. As a professor of English specializing in medieval literature, Gardner had been teaching Beowulf, the source of inspiration for Grendel, for many years at various colleges. ![]() ![]() The novel was praised as a literary tour de force and named a book of the year by Time Newsweek magazines. Completed in 1970 and published the following year, Grendel was the first of John Gardner's novels to bring him not just critical but popular success. ![]()
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