82 pages • 2 hours read
John GardnerGrendel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1971A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Discussion/Analysis Prompt
Consider the role of the Dragon in Grendel’s character development. What is the Dragon’s relationship to Grendel? Is the Dragon real or an aspect of Grendel’s consciousness? In what ways are Grendel and the Dragon similar and different?
Teaching Suggestion: To enrich the activity, you might have students work in small groups to fill out Venn diagrams comparing and contrasting the ideas of the Dragon with the ideas of Ork. Then they can discuss how both characters influence Grendel’s thinking, if at all.
Differentiation Suggestion: Provide students with a two-column chart to simplify the Dragon’s philosophy.
Dragon’s Belief / Grendel’s Reaction or Opposing Belief
Art creates an illusion of reality.
Time is an illusion.
Illusion allows humans to believe in religion.
Nature organizes itself.
Nothing has meaning.
