A Quest to Find or Create the Meaning in Life

1. John Gardner’s Grendel A Quest to Find or Create the Meaning in Life

2. The INSPIRATION • Grendel is derived from Beowulf. • John Gardner turned the one-sided “evil” monster into a 3-dimensional character. • We see Grendel struggle to find meaning in life. This work is ultimately philosophical. Grendel exploreswhat it means to be “human.”

3. Gardner’s Central Question Gardner wrote, “Hopefully all readers will enjoy [Grendel] and recognize the central question, namely: if the world really is meaningless, how should I live?” • We will discuss the many possible answers to this question.

4. Term to Know - Existentialism • aphilosophical movement that views the individual and the individual’s experience as the basis for understanding the nature of human existence. • In other words, each individual creates his or her own meaning.

5. More About Existentialism • is a belief in freedom and accepts the consequences of individual actions • acknowledges the responsibility that comes with the making of choices. • prefers subjectivity • views humans as “subjects” in an indifferent and often uncertain universe.

6. Term to Know - Nihilism • The belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can really be known or communicated. • associated with extreme pessimism • associated with skepticism • condemns existence. • A true nihilist would • 1) believe in nothing, • 2)have no loyalties, and • 3) have no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy the things and people around them.

7. Term to Know - Mechanism • The idea that people can abandon free will and become mindless parts in a “machine,” often times without realizing this is happening. • In a “machine” there is no need to worry about the right/wrong of functioning – one simply does. • Grendel seems to think we are all machines, “blind, mindless, mechanical.” • “Mechanism” is in direct opposition to existentialism, which emphasizes human freedom, choice, and responsibility.

8. Machine Imagery • Images and references to “machinery” appear often in Grendel’s thoughts. • We will booknote these references! • These images of machinery help us understand how Grendel views himself and his world.

9. Term to Know - Allusion DEF = a reference to another text that an educated reader would know. • An allusion adds layers of meaning to the text in which the allusion appears. An allusion allows an author to add meaning without didactically explaining the meaning to the reader. • In this text we will specifically be looking at Biblical allusions.

10. The Cave – a Biblical Allusion • Be sure to booknote references to Grendel’s cave. • We will be looking at Gardner’s deeper meaning and the reasons he has Grendel use allusions to describe his cave.

11. Term to Know - Syllogism • A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. • EXAMPLE: Premise – If a triangle is scalene then it has 3 unequal sides. Premise – If a triangle has 3 unequal sides, then it has 3 unequal angles.You can use the law of syllogism to conclude that:If a triangle is scalene, then it has 3 unequal angles.

12. Term to Know - Sine qua non DEF = a Latin expression, used in English to mean an essential or necessary quality or condition. • The Dragon will use this term to criticize the human tendency to only acknowledge isolated facts. • “There are no facts,” the dragon says. How does this quote connect to existentialism?

13. Term to Know - nihil ex nihilo DEF = a Latin phrase meaning, “Nothing comes from nothing.” Grendel thinks, “Nihil ex nihilo” at the end of Chapter 10. He is fitful and upset – Does this mean HE is “nothing”?