Difference Between Reality And Fantasy In Grendel's Journey

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John Gardeners, Grendel, he begins to outline his philosophy of reality and fantasy in which effects Grendel’s journey of life. Grendel believes that perception is reality and not a fantasy. Therefore Grendel creates his own universe, because it is only his experience of his environment that makes it real. Although Grendel takes this relatively reasonable idea to an extreme, deciding that he alone exists. It leads, eventually, to his belief that only he matters, and he can therefore do whatever he wants to everyone else. With this Gardner reveals to his readers about the important difference between reality verses fantasy, and its effects. As Grendel strives forward, however comically, to escape from his world of tragedy and darkness he …show more content…

With the power of words, Gardner expresses, that even a monster can be affected by it. Gardner also develops the theme of fantasy as another moral force that allows humanity to advance by inspiring Unferth, in the belief of his heroism. Gardner details the thoughts of Grendel, “So much for heroism. So much for the harvest virgin. So much also for the alternative visions of blind old poets and dragons.” (Gardner 90). The significance in Unferth’s character is obvious throughout his encounters with Grendel. Unferth loses every time, first physically and then mentally, leaving us with no other option but to think maybe Grendel is right. Unferth shows some characteristics like courage and the determination to fight and die, but it’s not enough to break Grendel down. Unferth does indeed have a role to play in this story and the fact that he helps …show more content…

At the end of the novel Grendel gets the chance to try to change his life. Grendel takes action and does something useful to make his life more important and memorable. Grendel felt as though his world and life was fading into darkness, he wouldn’t accept the truth and reality of the facts around him. ”Something is coming, strange as spring. I am afraid. Standing on an open hill, I imagine muffled footsteps overhead” (Gardner 126). Through Grendel’s agony and pain of his slow death he still resents the fact that he was defeated and says to himself that it was an accident. Gardner is successful in revealing the difference of reality and fantasy with the reference of Unferth, the dragon and himself and in which Grendel faces throughout his life in the

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