Diction in Grendel.

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Michael Waller

8/26/03

Grendel #2

Diction in Grendel

In Grendel, John Gardner uses a dark pessimistic tone and menacing diction to examine the world of the monster, Grendel. In addition, Grendel is written in first person point of view, which enables introspection on Grendel’s feelings.  

     Gardner’s diction clearly illustrates Grendel’s frustrations and unhappiness toward the world. Grendel bawled, “Mama! Waa! Waa! I bellowed to the sky, the forest, the cliff, until I was weak from loss of blood.” Grendel often expressed his pessimistic views about the world in general, “I seemed to see the whole world even the sun and sky decomposing.”  In addition, after Grendel meets the bull he laments over his solitude, “I understood that, finally and absolutely I alone exist.”

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In his early years, Grendel shares the naivety of youth, unchained by the perceptions and limitations the outside world places on reality. Unfortunately, Grendel is ignorant of the immutable life he would come to live. “Like a puppy nipping, playfully growling preparing for a battle with wolves.” Gardner gives Grendel a purposefully guileless voice to illustrate both the monster’s feelings of lost youth as well as his progression into a more morose being. The imagery used in the description facilitates the image of the initially puerile Grendel.

         The author uses figurative language to create a lucid image of the ...

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