Post by mitralebuhn on Aug 29, 2013 21:22:35 GMT
There are several aspects about Grendel's relationship with his mother that I found significant. First, from the beginning of the book it was apparent that Grendel did not feel confident that he was loved by his mother. He felt she kept secrets from him. This springs from their inability to communicate, something I feel could be easily over-looked but must be an incredibly difficult situation to deal with. Imagine not being able to talk to your parental figure, to find answers for your questions, to be reassured that you are loved. How is Grendel expected to develop properly when he doubts the love of his mother? I think it is likely that Grendel became a monster because he did not feel loved as a child.
As I read I searched for ways that his mother might express love for him. I found 3 notable occasions. One instance is when she saved Grendel from the humans when he was stuck in the trees, another when she tried to make noises and at lease attempted to communicate with him, and third is the way she would comfort him. Grendel describes the way she held him, "she would reach out her claws and seize me, though I could see I alarmed her (I had teeth like a saw), and she would smash me to her fat, limp breast as if to make me a part of her again. After that, comforted, I would gradually ease back into my games" (17). He says here that this effectively comforted him. But I found it interesting that in the end of the book, Grendel's mother uses this same technique and Grendel isn't as receptive. At this point in the novel he considers her waste. His shutting her out causes Grendel's mother to tear at herself, pulling out her fur, an action I believe Gardner may have chosen to display how his actions hurt her inside. Grendel is "cool and objective" (146) with his mother, and says he "loved" (146) her, not he loves her. I wonder why Grendel would push his mother away and feel so much apathy toward her after he had craved her attention as a child? And even more interesting, why would Grendel push his mother away, but then call out for her when he is about to die? What are your observations of his relationship with his mother, and its significance to not only the book, but real life as well?
As I read I searched for ways that his mother might express love for him. I found 3 notable occasions. One instance is when she saved Grendel from the humans when he was stuck in the trees, another when she tried to make noises and at lease attempted to communicate with him, and third is the way she would comfort him. Grendel describes the way she held him, "she would reach out her claws and seize me, though I could see I alarmed her (I had teeth like a saw), and she would smash me to her fat, limp breast as if to make me a part of her again. After that, comforted, I would gradually ease back into my games" (17). He says here that this effectively comforted him. But I found it interesting that in the end of the book, Grendel's mother uses this same technique and Grendel isn't as receptive. At this point in the novel he considers her waste. His shutting her out causes Grendel's mother to tear at herself, pulling out her fur, an action I believe Gardner may have chosen to display how his actions hurt her inside. Grendel is "cool and objective" (146) with his mother, and says he "loved" (146) her, not he loves her. I wonder why Grendel would push his mother away and feel so much apathy toward her after he had craved her attention as a child? And even more interesting, why would Grendel push his mother away, but then call out for her when he is about to die? What are your observations of his relationship with his mother, and its significance to not only the book, but real life as well?