Journal 5

John Gardner made the decision to use Grendel as the narrator because Grendel cannot speak with anyone except for the dragon. Grendel constantly reminds the reader that neither the animals nor the humans can understand him. Grendel’s is always an outsider. He is always looking in the Hart through a crack, where he watches the humans drinking, laughing, and having a good time without him. Gardner shows that Grendel observes human philosophies and always has conflicting thoughts about them. Grendel’s view is important because he is a monster and not a human. There are many views expressed in the parody, including Red Horse’s view on government, the dragon’s view on the world, and Grendel’s view on the shaper. Grendel’s view of the world is that it is mechanical and no one really thinks before they act. Grendel’s narration goes through the months of the year, which is why the book has twelve chapters.