Journal #5
What is Grendel’s attitude toward language? How does it change throughout the novel?
Concerning Grendel’s attitude toward language in the novel, Grendel writes after the events of the novel have been experienced, at least most of them. The present of the novel is the 12th year of his battle with humans, even though most of the novel is history of background. Accordingly, Grendel relates the history of his encounters and experiences with humans and their or his language. The narrator’s language itself does not change throughout the novel, though the novel is in part a record of how his attitude toward language changed in the past. Grendel sees language as a way of escaping his prison of loneliness. From the time he is born, Grendel has lived in a cave with his mother who couldn’t speak a single word. Grendel however, begins to roam out the cave. He speaks to the humans in a language that he compares equal to the human’s language. No one is able to understand him which leaves him feeling lonely. He is trapped in an interior monologue where he can only communicate to himself and no other. Additionally, Grendel embraces language in the beginning of the novel but as he ages, he begins to see life as having no meaning at all and his language skills start to weaken. Throughout the story, Grendel changes his language and understanding of language. He begins to speak from his consciousness and links the story in a modern world. He begins to experiment with different genres and learn how to use lines and verses.
No comments:
Post a Comment