Journal 5

I think Gardner made the decision to use Grendel as a narrator because of his status in society. Grendel has no status in society. He is an interloper; therefore this reveals many thoughts and ideas from simply observing society. Grendel is not affected by views that are usually forced upon the society. He is independent of his views and this gives an unbiased approach on the human world in the Anglo-Saxon society in the novel. Gardner saw Grendel as an opportunity to expose a new world of thoughts from the villain instead of the hero. Grendel’s status as a monster in society affects the way he tells the story by gathering thoughts just by observing man. Being a monster causes Grendel to have dark, depressing, and angry thoughts which is the mood throughout the story.