Grendel (John Gardner) Discussion Q’s
1. Read “The Mental Traveler;” examine the meanings of the William
Blake excerpt which introduces the novel; why did Gardner select the
Blake quatrain for his epigram?
2. Examine the role(s) of the Shaper.
3. Who and/or what is The Dragon?
4. How is the Gardner novel related to and different from the Beowulf
epic?
5. What is the structure of Grendel and how does this underpin the
novel’s themes?
6. How does using Grendel as a narrator affect the novel’s tone, language
and potential meanings?
7. Discuss Grendel’s idea of “hero;” compare and contrast his perspective
on heroism with that of the Anglo-Saxons, especially Unferth.
8. Explore Gardner’s interpretations of spirituality, including religion.
9. How is Grendel about “otherness?”
10. Compare/contrast Gardner/Grendel’s opinions on government with
that of the Anglo-Saxons.
11. Are human beings animals without much hair? Examine Gardner’s
messages via Grendel.