By Thursday before class, you must post once on the blog. In your response, you will be assessed by the same qualities of discussion that we generated in class (evidence, uptake, etc.). You must also post another time by Friday before class in response to the same question. No response should exceed 100 words.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Post #1 -- Group 2
Using Gardner’s Grendel, answer the following questions:
How do monsters function and deal with the dominant society? How do his values interact with those of the dominant society?
In Gardner's Grendel, it can be seen that monsters extricate themselves from dominant society and only interact on an as needed basis. His values interact in the sense that they sometimes contrast. Grendel is, at times, consumed and controlled by his anger, "My scowl of rage...I forgot myself completely..." (pg.60). This goes against the anglo-saxon value of control and order.
I think it is more that they don't know how to interact with society and are thus portrayed as monsters. In Grendel, when he first goes to the mead-hall "'Mercy! Peace!' The harper broke off, the people screamed...men rushed as me with battle-axes" (51-52). Grenel didn't know the ways the Anglo-Saxons interact, so he made a blunder that caused them to attack him.
I think I'm going to have to agree with Hans on this one. I think most of his basic values are actually the same, since he values relationships and control over his own life, but I think he demonstrates those differences differently than the Anglo-Saxons do, so they decided he's a monster.
I would also have to agree with the fact that monsters are seen as monsters due to their inability to interact with the dominant society. In Grendel's case, there seems to be a longing to be accepted by society, and when he is rejected that is when he is consumed by his anger, thus creating conflicting values.
I definitely with what Dan said about Grendel longing to be accepted by society. This can be seen on pg. 33 of Grendel where he admits to trying to be apart of their society, "At times I would try to befriend the exile..." So he wanted to connect with men in any way he could.
I think Grendel is actually an anomaly amongst monsters. In general, I agree with what Samantha (I think?) said about monsters interacting with humans only on an as needed basis. How else could his mother have "forgotten all language long ago, or maybe never had known any?" (Gardner 28).
I really like what Liann said when she said "I think he demonstrates those differences differently than the Anglo-Saxons do, so they decided he's a monster." (Also, sorry to post twice in a row). It seems to me that the problem lies not in Grendel or the Anglo-Saxons values, but rather in the manifestation of those values.
I disagree with Annie that monsters have minimal interaction with society. I think that they want to be more human, but they often have some phyisical characteristic that makes them montorous, such as the whole point of Frankenstein. In Grendel, it says "I we[t-strong monstor with teeth like a shark's-" (52). Grendel is exhibiting a clearly human chaactertisic of weeping, but has teeth that'll scare a human.
Hans, I agree. Grendel desires to interact with society. In Grendel it says, "I staggered... up toward the hall... crying 'Friend! Friend!' They hacked at me" (51-52). Grendel still longs to be accepted, but realizes he never will be. At this point, Grendel becomes a monster. In turn, he terrorizes society to interact with it, creating his monstrous values.
In Gardner's Grendel, it can be seen that monsters extricate themselves from dominant society and only interact on an as needed basis. His values interact in the sense that they sometimes contrast. Grendel is, at times, consumed and controlled by his anger, "My scowl of rage...I forgot myself completely..." (pg.60). This goes against the anglo-saxon value of control and order.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more that they don't know how to interact with society and are thus portrayed as monsters. In Grendel, when he first goes to the mead-hall "'Mercy! Peace!' The harper broke off, the people screamed...men rushed as me with battle-axes" (51-52). Grenel didn't know the ways the Anglo-Saxons interact, so he made a blunder that caused them to attack him.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to agree with Hans on this one. I think most of his basic values are actually the same, since he values relationships and control over his own life, but I think he demonstrates those differences differently than the Anglo-Saxons do, so they decided he's a monster.
ReplyDeleteI would also have to agree with the fact that monsters are seen as monsters due to their inability to interact with the dominant society. In Grendel's case, there seems to be a longing to be accepted by society, and when he is rejected that is when he is consumed by his anger, thus creating conflicting values.
ReplyDeleteI definitely with what Dan said about Grendel longing to be accepted by society. This can be seen on pg. 33 of Grendel where he admits to trying to be apart of their society, "At times I would try to befriend the exile..." So he wanted to connect with men in any way he could.
ReplyDeleteI think Grendel is actually an anomaly amongst monsters. In general, I agree with what Samantha (I think?) said about monsters interacting with humans only on an as needed basis. How else could his mother have "forgotten all language long ago, or maybe never had known any?" (Gardner 28).
ReplyDeleteI really like what Liann said when she said "I think he demonstrates those differences differently than the Anglo-Saxons do, so they decided he's a monster." (Also, sorry to post twice in a row). It seems to me that the problem lies not in Grendel or the Anglo-Saxons values, but rather in the manifestation of those values.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Annie that monsters have minimal interaction with society. I think that they want to be more human, but they often have some phyisical characteristic that makes them montorous, such as the whole point of Frankenstein. In Grendel, it says "I we[t-strong monstor with teeth like a shark's-" (52). Grendel is exhibiting a clearly human chaactertisic of weeping, but has teeth that'll scare a human.
ReplyDeleteHans, I agree. Grendel desires to interact with society. In Grendel it says, "I staggered... up toward the hall... crying 'Friend! Friend!' They hacked at me" (51-52). Grendel still longs to be accepted, but realizes he never will be. At this point, Grendel becomes a monster. In turn, he terrorizes society to interact with it, creating his monstrous values.
ReplyDelete