Nihilism in Garders Grendel
"Nihil ex nihilo, I always say"(Gardner 150). These are the words of the infamous Grendel from the novel, titled that same character, by John Gardner. They represent the phrase "life itself is meaningless" which is taught to Grendel by a few different people throughout this novel. In the following essay, the explanation of this phrase, the way Grendel learns about nihilism, and how Grendel develops the concept of nihilism, as it is known, will be discussed. First, we attack the nihilism itself. What is Nihilism? Well, this is one of the main components of the book. It means life itself is meaningless. What is meant by that phrase is that anything you do or decide to do, means nothing. For example, if you make a huge decision that you think will affect you for the rest of your life, according to a nihilist it means nothing. To them, it will all turn out how it is supposed to turn out and that is that. Nihilism also refers to people who do not believe they should be told how to live their life by the government. One major example of a nihilism uprise was in Russia during the 1860's. During this decade, nihilism was primarily a rejection of tradition and authoritari
In Chapter four, Grendel's learning is furthered even more when he comes in contact with the people of Herot. This quote is Grendel talking about what he sees and only what he sees. ) Drunken men rushed over with battle-axes. Immediately the humans hack away at him with their swords. From chapter five: "The essence of life is to be found in the frustrations of established order. You are, so to speak, the brute existent by which they learn to define themselves. To do this, he explains to him that repetition is the key to nihilism. Things about their fathers, and their fathers' fathers, things about justice and honor and lawful revenge, their throats swollen, their eyes rolling like a newborn colts, sweat running down their shoulders. "(Gardner 52) This was the event that really made Grendel into a nihilist. In Lament's terms, live your lives how you want to live it and do not let anyone tell you how. "(Gardner 67) The Dragon's teachings do not get through to Grendel very well and finally the Dragon just lets it all out. From chapter four: "I staggered out into the open and up toward the hall with my burden, groaning out, 'Mercy! Peace!' The Harper broke off, the people screamed. By chapter ten, Grendel says to the reader, "Nihil ex nihilo, I always say.
Common topics in this essay:
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Dragon Dragon,
Red Horse,
Peace' Harper,
Chapter Grendel's,
Serpico Nihil,
grendel learns,
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chapters seven eight,
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idea nihilism,
seven eight,
chapters seven,
gardner 150,
seven eight grendel,
chapter ten,
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