America today is remarkably similar compared to the ancient Anglo-Saxon civilization. Influences shared between the two worlds are uncanny. In the novel Grendel, John Gardner writes the story of Beowulf from the monster’s point of view. Despite many technological and societal advances made since the Anglo-Saxon period, many aspects of Grendel’s world are still seen today. Gardner uses his novel Grendel, to communicate issues of violence, depression and media influence in the modern world.
Violence is often found in densely populated areas, such as Hall Heorot and the Twin Towers. Such areas are often a target for terrorism. In the novel, Grendel attacks the mead hall constantly because the Shaper’s influence convinces him that he is evil. Grendel believes he is the “Ruiner of Meadhalls. Wrecker of Kings” (Gardner 80). Grendel consciously decides to become who the Shaper says he is; a monster. Similarly, in America after the 9/11 attacks, “jihadists have killed 103 people inside the United States” (Bergen).
Terrorists suppress people in popular places to instill collective, national fear. Grendel kills inside Hall Heorot out of rage because he knows he will always be feared by the people. Combating violence is also prominent in both Grendel and the U.S. After 9/11, “America’s ‘war-on-terror’ has become our national mission for restoration” (Brenner). The U.S. wants to ensure that no nation experiences terrorism by fighting back. The dragon tells Grendel he “improve[s] them… You make them think and scheme” (Gardner 72). The people in Hall Heorot learn to fight against Grendel to survive. By doing so they grow as a society and develop helpful weapons and technology. Terrorism exists to capture national attention.
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At the same time, teenage depression is prominent in both the novel and the U.S. For many teenagers, “depression interferes with normal teenage social development and maturation” (Empfield). Most teens with clinical depression do not spend enough time with their peers which can result in anxiety as an adult. In Grendel, the dragon makes Grendel unstoppable so he can raid the mead hall nightly. As a result, Grendel feels “as never before, I was alone” (Gardner 80). Grendel’s withdrawal from society escalates his depression. His gift from the dragon makes him significantly more feared and outcasted in the eyes of the people. Although depression can happen to anyone, “abused and neglected teens are at risk” (Borchard).
Teenagers are beginning to find themselves and require guidance. When teens do not receive direction, they can develop clinical depression. One reason Grendel feels depressed is because he cannot speak to his mother. She has “forgotten all language long ago, or maybe had never known any” (Gardner 28). Grendel is confused and neglected by his mother because of their language barrier. He has no direction from his mother and receives conflicting advice from the dragon. Teenagers need social interaction and direction to have less of a risk of developing depression.
In a similar way, social media has a profound impact on teenagers in the U.S. According to Pew Research Center, “92% of American teens go online daily” and “71% of teens use more than one social network site” (Lenhart). All social media platforms can manipulate a teens’ train of thought, whether the topic is politics or body image. Additionally, since media is such a prominent part of society, teens are likely to be heavily influenced by others’ beliefs online. Grendel has similar influences from the Shaper’s words throughout the novel. The Shaper informs the people that Grendel is evil as the descendant of Cain. The Shaper’s story makes even Grendel “[believe] him. Such was the power of the Shaper’s harp” (Gardner 51).
The Shaper in the novel is comparable to the influence of social media platforms. Media can influence impressionable people just as the Shaper influenced the people of Hall Heorot. Social media also prevents teens from developing social skills. With less face-to-face interaction, “it’s difficult to build empathy and compassion when teens spend more time ‘engaging’ online than they do in person” according to a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh (Hurley). Teens require in-person social interactions to build relationships and become productive members of society.
Overuse of social media can shatter all traditional social constructs. Although Grendel recognizes that the Shaper does not always tell the truth, he believes “the Shaper may yet improve men’s minds, bring peace to the miserable Danes” (Gardner 53). The Shaper’s compelling nature makes the Danes work together towards larger goals. Social media has the power to bring together or tear apart young members of society.
In conclusion, the Anglo-Saxon world’s Grendel is comparable to the average teenager in modern America. Both struggle daily with outside influences, the possibility of being involved in violence and the risk of developing depression. Grendel is cast out by society in the same way that social media can make teenagers feel outcast for having different beliefs than their peers. Grendel is a notable example of teenage struggles with identity, truth, and meaning.
