Nihilism In 'Grendel' By John Gardner

It starts as early as your mother putting a bow in your hair just because you are a baby girl. It starts when you’re in Kindergarten and you’re already being teased because you “can’t catch” or don’t have your ears pierced already. Throughout our lives we are widely influenced by societal norms and pressures to conform. In “Grendel”, written by John Gardner, Gardner explores this idea through the character of Grendel. Gardner compares process philosophy to nihilism as Grendel makes his transition to a true monster. Grendel was not born a monster, nor nihilist. However, as he grows and becomes integrated with society he falls into its trap to become the ultimate nihilistic monster society was begging him to be. There’s a saying, innocence

He seeked guidance from “The Dragon” however, it can be argued that The Dragon was never real, yet a figment of Grendel’s imagination. Many people would rather hear a comforting lie than a painful truth; thus, that is what Grendel was seeking. At first The Dragon tells Grendel his purpose is to be a monster. He tells him, “you are the brute existence by which they learn to define themselves” (73). This supports process philosophy because it states how everything in life is connected. Grendel must fulfill his role as the monster to give the humans their purpose. He continues to compare Grendel and mankind to a “mountain climber and the mountain” (73). Thus arguing a mountain climber would be nothing without a mountain just as mankind would be nothing without Grendel. Therefore, everything in life is connected and everything has a purpose. However, although The Dragon seems to be in support of process philosophy, he utters words of nihilism. When Grendel asks The Dragon, “but why” (72) he responds “Why? Why? Ridiculous question! Why anything?” (72) therefore there is no real purpose to life, there is no reason why. Grendel only hears what he wants to hear, which is the nihilistic aspect of The Dragon’s lesson. After this, he commits the ultimate act of nihilism and becomes a true monster. A goat is “climbing, mindless, mechanical, because it is the business of goats to climb” (139).

While in his final battle with Beowulf, Grendel is given the chance to accept process philosophy one more time. Beowulf claims everything in life is connected and everything happens for a reason. Therefore, Beowulf supports process philosophy. Beowulf attempts to tell Grendel everything in life is connected, everything runs in a cycle, unlike Grendel's argument of everything follows a mindless routine. However, Grendel once again ignores this lesson and reverts back to his nihilistic ways. Grendel tells Beowulf is he wins “it’s by mindless chance” (171) therefore blaming his death on an accident or mistake. This supports nihilism because Grendel doesn’t believe his past actions lead him to this point. He doesn’t believe there is a reason behind every choice he’s made therefore going against process