In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein and John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, alienation and loneliness is a major theme that is woven through the lives of the monsters. It is when both monsters are alienated and in isolation where Grendel and Frankenstein’s monster feel the pain left from mankind’s actions upon them (Ruud, 1974). Each character is molded into their unique individual by alienation and loneliness.
In John Gardner’s novel , from the beginning of Grendel’s adventures into the outside world, men do not accept him into their society. Hrothgar’s village sees him as a monster due to his dreadful appearance. After he finds out he is the spawn of the devil, he rushes the mead hall, “The harper broke off, the people screamed. Drunken men rushed me with battle-axes. I sank to my knees crying, ‘Friend! Friend!’ They hacked at me, yipping like dogs” (Gardner, 2012). As much as Grendel wants to be accepted by men, he is labeled by the Shaper as a monster, filled with evilness. Even though he can comprehend humans, they cannot understand him which leads him to be frustrated with his self-worth by not being accepted by men. Even though he tries to communicate and play a role in their society, they perceive him as a destructive beast and alienate him from their culture so he suffers his life in isolation.
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After being exposed to nihilism by the dragon, Grendel accepts his role in the Shaper’s stories. He realizes that he can never be a part of their civilization, so he decides to acknowledge the fact that he is the monster in their society. Causing harm to Hrothgar’s village gives him his own identity, which leads him to transform into, “I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings! But also, as never before, I was alone” (Gardner, 2012). Men’s actions upon him has transformed him into the beast he has become, but more powerfully, his relationship with humans has left him feeling lonely inside. Even though he can have a one-way connection intellectually with humans by understanding their language, his outer appearance causes fear and repulsion to men. These emotions by Hrothgar’s village ultimately separates him from having a camaraderie with them.
By accepting the monster role in the men’s lives, Grendel develops into a merciless mass murderer. Hrothgar causes vast pain in Grendel’s daily secluded life, which as a result triggers Grendel’s desire for vengeance, “It wasn’t until later, when I was full-grown and Hrothgar was an old, old man, that I settled my soul on destroying him-slowly and cruelly” (Gardner, 2012). Grendel initially wants to be a friend to Hrothgar’s society, he aspires to connect with them. After undertaking the position of the monster, his mindset changes to seeking revenge on Hrothgar. He accomplishes his vengeance on Hrothgar by killing his men in the mead hall for twelve years. He despises seeing Hrothgar gaining power while he himself was still in the same battle of alienation and loneliness. Ultimately, Grendel’s revenge crafts his demise and admitting his mortality.
Just like Grendel, everywhere the monster in Frankenstein seeks companionship, his life turns into a downward spiraling journey of alienation due to mankind’s actions upon him. Everyone shows dogmatism towards the monster because they are petrified of his looks. After having a conversation with DeLacey, he is interrupted by Felix, Safie, and Agatha, “At that instant the cottage door was opened, and Felix, Safie, and Agatha entered. Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me?” (Shelley, 2018). DeLacey, being blind, accepts the monster and does not judge based on his appearance. Instead, the monster can connect intellectually with him without being seen as a harmful beast. However, the rest of the family does not accept the monster due to his hideous looks. Felix assumes that the monster is harming his father, therefore he chases the monster away. Alienation and isolation rear his ugly head once more.
After cursing his creator for giving him the life he did not want, wandering in the woods the monster comes across a little girl. The creature is then shot for saving the girl from drowning because he is seen as a threatening being once again, even though he is not. This event leads him to accept his role as the monster, “I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone…Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind” (Shelley, 2018). The monster declaring this shows that he has become frustrated with his existence due to the pain of mankind not accepting him. He is seen as the being not suitable for society and therefore is an outcast. He is shunned by all of society, and even by his creator. This causes the monster to swear revenge against mankind for inflicting this feeling of detachment and alienation.
As a last attempt to gain love and acceptance, the monster requests that Frankenstein create a female companion for him. The monster faces the reality that he truly is alone in the world, and that there is nobody like him. The monster has experienced frayed and broken relationships that unraveled to alienation and loneliness throughout his life. After seeing the destruction of his mate, he guarantees that, “Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict… I shall be with you on your wedding night” (Shelley, 2018). The monster vows eternal revenge on Frankenstein because he is painfully unloved, and wants his creator to experience the same pain. From the time the creature becomes endowed with life, he is deprived of the basic needs like love, emotion, food, and shelter. After bearing the role of the monster, he decides to fulfill his revenge on his creator by killing the ones that Victor loves. While he feels the physical pain from mankind, the emotional pain of alienation overcomes him and leads him to become ruthless and a murderer, killing Henry and Elizabeth. He fulfills his revenge on Victor, but as a result, leads himself to a road of his own destruction.
Alienation and isolation are themes weaved in and out of Grendel and Frankenstein . These themes are lived out by both monsters and entangle each of their lives causing great pain and shattering consequences. Frankenstein’s monster and Grendel are deprived of basic essentials of human existence due to their alienation from society (Merrill, 1984). Perhaps, if humankind did not have a stereotype about the monsters, they could have been helping their surrounding communities and put a positive influence on Hrothgar and Victor.
References
Gardner, J. (2012). Grendel . Editions Denoël.
Merrill, R. (1984). John Gardner's Grendel and the Interpretation of Modern Fables. American Literature , 56 (2), 162-180.
Ruud, J. (1974). Gardner's Grendel and Beowulf: Humanizing the Monster. Thoth 14. 2 , 3 .
Shelley, M. (2018). frankenstein. In Medicine and Literature, Volume Two (pp. 35-52). CRC Press.
