Significant Philosophies

In Grendel by John Gardner there are three significant philosophies. The three philosophies were solipsism, existentialism, and nihilism. Solipsism is a theory that only the self exist and nothing else. Existentialism is when the individual (main character) of the story is the creator of the meaning of the world. Nihilism is absolute destruction and the total rejection of any established laws and institutions. When the novel starts off in Chapter One: The Ram Grendel starts off expressing that the ram was just as he was last year stating that he had no change. In Chapter Two: The Bull Grendel starts with his solipsism type of philosophy stating that he alone exist just because his mother refuses to respond to he’s wails for her. When the Shaper arrives in Chapter Three: The Twins Grendel’s identity is challenged because the Shaper brings history causing Grendel to take a moment to look back on his life and also he creates a better world as he sings his songs to the people. As Grendel realizes himself in Chapter Four: The Crab he desires to join the society of men but can only join as their enemy. The dragon is introduced in Chapter Five: The Lion and has a major influence of Grendel. Grendel is no introduced to materialism, which is when only things matter. The dragon is a perfect example because of his hoard and it shows how the world can be so selfish and characterized with greed and conquest. Not only is the dragon a materialist but he is also a nihilist in that he promotes the destruction of the world. After getting a charm placed on him without knowing in Chapter Six: The Virgin Grendel has immediate joy because he is invincible but then it later turns into a curse because it makes him feel even more isolated from man. Grendel also later becomes a skeptic. He begins to doubt everything and look at every single one of their surroundings as their enemy. In Chapter Seven: The Scales Grendel is not balanced as he holds back from killing people he has some sense of balance. Within the first seven chapters Grendel has been transformed from a frightened solipsistic child to an angry skeptical killer. Throughout the rest of the book Grendel takes a turn into his death. Many signs warn him and give him an idea of what will happen such as the old lady, and the fact that his mother doesn’t want him to go out but certain things happen anyways to Grendel. It must have been his destiny.