Christianity as a Common Element in Literature
             The Christian faith is a strong reoccurring element in much of early and contemporary literature. Though other early religions, such as paganism, do come into play, Christianity is most prevalent because the early monks were the scribes of civilization, often shaping oral legends to fit Christian beliefs. This Christian storytelling is obvious in Beowulf and in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". In contemporary literature, the Christian aspect is obvious in A Prayer for Owen Meany. These three works all include bits and pieces of Christianity, while drawing slightly upon other aspects, most often paganism's idea of fate.
             In Beowulf, Beowulf represents good, while Grendel, his mother, and the dragon represent evil. This connotation of the characters draws strongly on the idea that Grendel is a descendent of Cain, the condemned son of Eve in biblical lore. A connection, however vague, can be made between the maternal relations of Eve and Cain and Grendel and his mother. Grendel's mother can be considered to personify man's fall from grace and Grendel himself might embody sin. Furthermore, the dragon Beowulf battles can be said to be a picture of Satan and the dragon's tower, Hell: "the heat Of the dragon's breath, flooding down... too hot for anyone to stand, a streaming current of fire And smoke that blocked all passage" (42).
             When facing Grendel, Beowulf relies on God alone to protect him, saying, "Let me live in greatness And courage, or here in this hall welcome My death!" (31). Beowulf makes mention of fate, a non-Christian component of paganism, often during this battle. The pagan idea of the sun being the symbol of good is also mentioned, "As the sun had gone, he knew that Grendel Would come to Herot, would visit that hall When night had covered the earth with its net..." (31). This display of prevailing pagan b...