Post by madisonarmst on Aug 27, 2013 8:50:59 GMT
Justice--and more specifically, injustice--is an important theme in Grendel. Gardner, however, offers two opposing views of the origin of injustice, proposed by two different characters:
1. Grendel often experiences events in nature that he considers either an injustice to himself or others. For example, early on in the novel when Grendel is swimming through the lake that separates his world from the human world, he compares the cold water to "an irreversible injustice, a final disease" (9). Grendel believes that injustice comes from nature. He believes that he should receive special treatment, not be treated the same as everyone else, as is the way in nature.
2. Later on in the novel, Hrothulf appears and claims that the government and the justice system is the root of all injustice. He says, "Public force is the life and soul of every state: not merely army and police but prisons, judges, tax collectors, every conceivable trick of coercive repression. The state is an organization of violence" (119). Hrothulf believes that some people receive special treatment and are able to get away with breaking law because ofthe oppressive nature of the governement. He thinks that this disparity is where the true injustice is created.
Which viewpoint do you agreee with? Looking at these two definitions of injustice, and considering the characters they came from, what can you observe about Gardner's point of view regarding the justice system and injustice? Finally, which of these originis of injustice do you think is more present in society and how do you think that affected the creation of our justice system?
1. Grendel often experiences events in nature that he considers either an injustice to himself or others. For example, early on in the novel when Grendel is swimming through the lake that separates his world from the human world, he compares the cold water to "an irreversible injustice, a final disease" (9). Grendel believes that injustice comes from nature. He believes that he should receive special treatment, not be treated the same as everyone else, as is the way in nature.
2. Later on in the novel, Hrothulf appears and claims that the government and the justice system is the root of all injustice. He says, "Public force is the life and soul of every state: not merely army and police but prisons, judges, tax collectors, every conceivable trick of coercive repression. The state is an organization of violence" (119). Hrothulf believes that some people receive special treatment and are able to get away with breaking law because ofthe oppressive nature of the governement. He thinks that this disparity is where the true injustice is created.
Which viewpoint do you agreee with? Looking at these two definitions of injustice, and considering the characters they came from, what can you observe about Gardner's point of view regarding the justice system and injustice? Finally, which of these originis of injustice do you think is more present in society and how do you think that affected the creation of our justice system?