So having just finished the novel Grendel, I have a somewhat new perspective of the great monster from literature. Does it change my view of him altogether? I'll save that for my final post. However, I did notice in this novel that the use of geography was very descriptive and effective, both on the reader and on the characters. Foster's novel talks about the importance of geography and how it can develop characters or contain important symbolism and themes. I think it applies to Grendel's home very well.
Grendel's home is a cave in the middle of a lake. However, said cave is almost impossible to get to. Not that it's under water, more of the lake and his lair is surrounded by a bunch of monsters including fire snakes and water dragons. Not a typical swim to find him as one stubborn hero found out when he tried to kill Grendel for attacking the mead hall. I found the idea of the hole full of fire snakes very interesting for two reasons. One being it's a bunch of fire snakes and that sounds cool but the other that they sort of represent his peace.
In order to come to the surface and raid the people, he has to swim through the pool of fire snakes. As his skin is almost invincible, they don't hurt him and he can swim without fear. However, they represent a change in him. Most of the time when he's in his cave, he is a (somewhat) kind spirit and doesn't do anything like attack his mother. However, swimming through the snakes shows his transformation, becoming the terrifying monster he is. It's like the snakes hold back his (somewhat) good nature when he exits the pool and then gives it back to him when he returns home. The geography acts as a dream catcher in a way, but instead of catching bad dreams, it holds onto his good. Although it's minor, the geography in Grendel helped to make an interesting read.
Great post Austin! The impact geography has on literature can be really interesting. It is even evident in the book I read, Robinson Crusoe, since Robinson is stranded on an island. The island itself is almost like a character in the novel, and the geography has a huge impact on the story. The novel would be very different if Robinson had found himself stranded in the desert or in the Arctic. Also, what you said at the end of the post reminded me of the chapter in How to Read Literature Like a Professor called "If She Comes Up, It's Baptism". The part where Grendel swims through the pool of fire snakes seems like it could represent a literal baptism by fire, as it transforms him into the monster he really is. That could be one other interpretation of his swim through the fire snakes.
ReplyDeleteSeven years later. Angi K of the Interwebs concurs. Enjoying the novel and wanted perspective on Grendel's childhood as covered in ch2.
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